Twenty-seven years ago, in 1999, I had a profoundly life-changing experience. GPBC was planning a mission trip to Mexico and needed a cook for about 60 volunteers over four days of service. I felt God speak loud and clear to me that I should volunteer. There were many reasons why I should have ignored this prompting; This volunteer responsibility was beyond the scope of my talents or abilities, and I really don't enjoy cooking! But God's voice was convincing, and I accepted the position. Fortunately, the amazing Leslie Hillman signed up to assist me. Neither of us had any experience planning menus, shopping, or cooking for a large group. 

Our camp was on a very windy, hot, dusty, and relatively flat piece of land. We brought all our water, food, cooking supplies, tents, and gear with us to Mexico. Two of my children, my son Tyler, 14, and my daughter Janine, 17, were on the mission trip with me as part of the volunteer team.

Leslie and I planned meals that were easier to make for our large group. We bought all our groceries, water, and other supplies before crossing the border. I drove our large truck across the border and to our setup location. This was another new experience for me!

Leslie and I prayed often, asking God to help us with the task at hand. God answered our prayers in so many ways. Despite the harsh conditions and water constraints (no running water), the two of us managed to provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner for four days to our hardworking group of volunteers. 

My children learned so much, and we all grew in our faith during those four days. The people we served while in Mexico were so grateful for the homes our volunteers built. We were all touched by the joy the children and adults expressed and their willingness to learn about God. Tyler said, “I remember building the houses and experiencing a type of contentedness in the families I had not experienced prior. This was and is instrumental in who I am and one of the core inspirations of my travels. To dive deep, connect with, and serve people of all different cultures, beliefs, and perspectives. This helps me anchor in even deeper to my faith.” Janine shared, “I have many memories from our Mexico mission trip, including tents blowing over the edge of the quarry where we all slept, and that He is so pleased when His people depend on Him!"

A verse that describes our experience well is Revelation 3:20: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

There are times in our lives when we don't listen to that still, small voice, and we miss an opportunity to grow in our faith. I'm so thankful that both Leslie and I listened. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything, and I'm grateful God gave me the opportunity and the prompting. 

Last year on September 17, 2025, we discovered that our dishwasher flooded our kitchen and our basement. We called our insurance company, and they immediately sent a mitigating team to start the repair. The ceiling to the downstairs bedroom was falling down and the people that were doing the work said, “You need to leave your home today because it is dangerous to have you live here. There is mold and possibly asbestos.” 

We didn’t know what to do, but we packed our suitcases and checked in to a Motel 6 close to our home. We bravely prayed expecting the repairs to be done in a couple of weeks! 

A couple of years ago we did a study in our evening life group using one of David Jeremiah’s books, and he shared how important it is to, “Just do the next right thing.” This phrase resonated with us, and we began using it in our everyday life. So, in this circumstance of having to leave our home and facing the unknown, we found clarity and comfort in saying this to each other, “What is the next right thing?”   

The Holy Spirit led us to initially pray and trust His leading even when we were fearful of what was next. It was also frustrating working with insurance adjusters and contractors. Many times, the next right thing was to interact with kindness and the love of Jesus even when we wanted to lash out at them. Every day the next right thing was to come together as a couple for our devotions and focus on one of the verses we were memorizing: 

• Genesis 16:13
  • “You are the God who sees.” (God sees and knows what is happening in our life.) 
• Exodus 14:14
  • “The Lord will fight for you. You need to be still.” 
• Psalm 3:22
  • “Let your unfailing love surround us Lord, for our hope is in you.” (This verse became our theme as we knew our hope is in the Lord and not in the hope that the project would finish.) 
• Psalm 100:5
  • “For the Lord is good, and His love is eternal, His faithfulness endures through all generations.” 
• I Peter 5:7
  • “Give all your worries and cares to God for He cares for you.” 
• II Corinthians 12:9
  • “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” 
• Galatians 6:9
  • “So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” 

What started on September 17, 2025, was completed on April 17, 2026, exactly seven months. We lived in a Motel  6 and a Comfort Suites each for two weeks.  

Someone offered their timeshare for a week. We traveled to visit our daughter, Beth and son-in-law, Jon, in Dallas, Texas for three weeks. We traveled to Hawaii and visited our granddaughter Kiana at the University of Hawaii for two weeks.  We rented an apartment that was in the basement of a home in the area for 2 months. We also stayed in our home the last 2 months with a refrigerator and microwave in the bathroom and a card table in the office for our meals.  

Through all the inconvenience and struggles, we were uplifted by the prayers of our family and the GPBC community. They provided meals and at times took us out to dinner. We felt the generous support and love of our community. 

Is there a circumstance you are facing and you need wisdom and direction? Could it be that the Lord wants you to wait on Him? Could it be that you are to be grateful for the trial you are facing? Could it be that the next right thing is to forgive someone who has offended you? Could it be that you need to take a walk? Could it be that you need to visit a friend? Could it be that you need to pray and trust God for the outcome? Could it be that you need to repent and experience the forgiveness and love of Jesus? 

Just remember the Lord will help you “do the next right thing” no matter what circumstance you are facing today! 

There is something startling about the first time Scripture tells us people are filled with the Spirit.

It is not a king.

Not a prophet standing before crowds.

Not a priest in the inner courts.

It is artisans.

In the unfolding story of Exodus, the God who had made Himself known in fire and thunder, in plagues and parted seas, begins to reveal another desire, not to be feared, not only to be obeyed, but to dwell. To come close. To make His home among His people.

And so He invites them to build a tabernacle (Exodus 25:8).

A tent.

Not a monument of stone that would root Him to one place, but something living, moving, carried in the midst of a people still learning who they were. A dwelling not imposed, but participated in. And into that invitation, He breathes His Spirit, not first into rulers or warriors, but into makers. Into those who could see beauty where others saw raw material. Into those who could imagine what had never yet existed (Exodus 31:1–5).

They came, artists, craftsmen, weavers, builders, each carrying something: gold and thread, skill and vision, time and strength. No one was excluded from the offering. Treasure was given. Labor was given. Imagination was given. And something holy began to take shape in their midst.

A place where heaven and earth would meet.

Not because they had mastered holiness, but because God had chosen to come near.

And the giving, oh, the giving. It overflowed. It spilled beyond what was needed until the word came, “Tell the people to stop. There is enough” (Exodus 36:5–7).

Enough.

When have we ever heard such a thing spoken over human offering?

It was not driven by obligation, but by vision. Not by scarcity, but by the deep, almost unnameable recognition: this is what we were made for. To be part of something that restores what was lost. To build, not idols fashioned out of fear and control, like the calf (Exodus 32), but a dwelling shaped by presence, by trust, by the nearness of God Himself.

They had seen what happens when we try to contain God in our own image.

But this, this was different.

This was invitation.

The tabernacle was more than a structure. It was a declaration: the God of the universe desires to be with His people. Not distant. Not abstract. With (Exodus 29:45–46).

And now, through Christ, the invitation has only deepened.

No longer a tent.

No longer contained in fabric and frame.

But within us.

We have become the dwelling place (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21–22).

The place where heaven touches earth.

Where His will can be lived, embodied, expressed in our words, our work, our relationships, our presence (Matthew 6:10).

Which raises a question that echoes across generations:

Will we build?

Will we recognize the Spirit at work, not only in the visible and the vocal, but in the quiet faithfulness of those who create, who design, who shape, who hold space, who bring order and beauty and meaning?

Will we give, not only from our excess, but from the deep places of calling within us (1 Peter 4:10)?

Will we see one another, celebrate one another, and release one another into the fullness of what we’ve been given?

Because the invitation has not changed.

Each of us carries something.

Each of us is needed.

All of us are called.

And there is a kind of generosity, joyful, surrendered, alive, that builds something far beyond what any one of us could imagine. A shared life where heaven and earth meet, not in theory, but in the ordinary holiness of being present to God and to one another.

This is the gift.

This is the calling.

To become, together, a dwelling place.

And perhaps, if we dare to respond with that same wholeheartedness, if we bring our gifts, our time, our creativity, our love, we might one day hear those words spoken over us too:

There is enough.

As the drive continued, the road got narrower and a little more wild. All this time, I had this feeling that something was off. I just couldn’t shake it, but I was determined. That’s when another massive tree appeared in the middle of the road ahead. “This is the last tree I’m bucking up, then I’m turning around and going the old way,” I exclaimed. That’s when a loud thud echoed through the night air, and the truck jolted forward. Alas, a large rock hidden beneath the grass hit the transmission pan and rendered my father-in-law’s truck (did I mention yet that I was borrowing his truck?) dead in the water.

Just as quickly as it began, nighttime set in, with wolves, mountain lions, bears, and other known dangers in the area. “This really isn’t good,” I thought.

It’s like the old story of the man stuck in a flood. He prayed, “Please, God, save me.” As the waters rose, the Lord sent help—a warning on the news, a man in a boat, and even a rescue helicopter—but the man refused each one, believing God would save him another way. After he drowned, he stood at the gates of St. Peter, realizing the mistake he had made. The Lord had sent all the help and signs a person could have asked for, but he had ignored them. 

As for me, the Lord put three trees in front of me as a warning not to go down that road that night. Finally, He put a rock in the road to make perfectly sure I really couldn’t go any farther. When I failed to listen, the Lord still kept me safe. Is it possible that what was farther down that road that night was far worse than a two-thousand-dollar tow fee and a busted transmission pan? Maybe.

One thing is certain, though—I do know the Lord was protecting me. Psalm 46:1–2 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” God loves us as His children and will protect us if we heed the warning. We often know what doesn’t feel right and the Lord will lead the way. 

In closing, my favorite Bible verse, Psalm 73:26, tells us, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” May God bless you all in His infinite glory. May we listen to what He is telling us, and may we heed the warnings of “trees in the road.” The spirit of this church community is strong, and as a congregation, we have always placed a high value on knowing the Lord through studying His Word. If we listen, we will be pointed in the right direction. That being said, it has been an immense honor to share this story with you all.

This got me thinking about the importance of church community and God’s desire for the church to be a welcoming place. It’s easy to underestimate the importance of a friendly greeting, smile, or handshake. That simple gesture can make all the difference in someone returning to find out the reason for our joy – Jesus! By doing this, we are treating others as Jesus would – with kindness, respect, and compassion.

The Bible has many verses on the importance of hospitality and embracing strangers, but these are a few of my favorites:

• Hebrews 13:2 – Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares
• Leviticus 19:34 – You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God
• Romans 15:7 – Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God
• Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
• Colossians 3:12 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience

In a world that often places self above others, Jesus asks us to put others first, and love our neighbors as He loved us. God has given us an amazing gift in being His children and part of the body of Christ. What an honor to share that joy with others who come through our church doors. Thank you for welcoming me, GPBC, and thank you for setting such a great example. 

• Sometimes a person’s worst fear does become reality.
• I’m not entitled to be spared suffering this side of heaven.

What’s also true is that He has a purpose for our suffering.

• He uses all things for His glory- even painful things (Romans 8:28).
• The loss and pain we experience in this life prepares us for the glory that awaits us in the next life (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
• God has promised abundant comfort in our suffering so that we can comfort others in their suffering, as well (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

These truths have been hard to confront initially. But what’s mysteriously beautiful in this upside-down paradigm of His kingdom is that acknowledging, accepting and submitting to these truths is what has ultimately brought peace to my mind and heart. His truth, no matter how hard for my human mind and heart to believe at times, is still the thing that sets me free from fear and anxiety. 

For those who are navigating hard things, I’d invite you to read, re-read, and even consider memorizing key verses from the first five chapters of 2 Corinthians.

May the Lord give you courage to confront the thing you fear the most, surrender it into His loving hands, and allow His truth to set you free.

God uses similar messaging to us throughout the Bible. In Isaiah 43:1 we read these words: “But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator…And He who formed you…‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!’” Sound familiar? The passage goes on to attest “Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you…Do not fear, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 43:4,5) That’s better than any valentine gift we might receive! Jesus states in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

Bear with me for a moment as I continue on this Valentines Day theme. Let’s assume God was hoping to receive a valentine gift or expression of love from each of us. What might that be? I believe the best one would be you or I. God desires that we be totally centered and devoted to him. In Proverbs 8:17, the Lord says, “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.”

In the days prior to returning to paradise (Wisconsin), Pastor Tom shared a final meal with the elders where he provided each one of us words of encouragement and wisdom as we together as a body move into the future for our church. We were each given by Tom a centuries old book of meditations and reflections titled The Imitation of Christ.  A recent reading from the book comes to mind titled “Of Loving Jesus Above All Else” that provides what I would deem in ourselves a sweet valentine we can offer up to the Lord: “Jesus wishes to be loved above all things; everything else must come second. The love of anything other than Jesus is deceptive and fickle, but the love of Jesus is faithful and enduring.”

As we approach this Valentines Day together, we can ask Jesus “Will You be mine?” And his answer will be a resounding, “Yes!”

In this season of my life, I’ve become increasingly aware that God has been inviting me to my own “Burning Bush.” It hasn’t been loud or dramatic, but persistent, like a quiet pull on my spirit that I can’t ignore. Even when I try to resist or delay responding, I’m reminded that I know my Shepherd’s voice. Something within me always recognizes His call and longs to answer it, even when fear, uncertainty, or doubt tries to stand in the way.

Like Moses, I’ve realized that encountering God often requires consecration. At the Burning Bush, Moses was instructed to remove his sandals, to lay aside what was familiar, comfortable, and protective, because he was standing on holy ground. That moment wasn’t just about receiving an assignment; it was about posture, reverence, and surrender. God was setting Moses apart, quieting distractions, and creating space for him to listen deeply.

In my own walk with God, I’ve learned that responding to His call means creating room for stillness and alignment. It means stepping away from noise, expectations, and even my own assumptions so I can hear Him clearly. Sometimes it feels uncomfortable. Sometimes it exposes wounds, weaknesses, or areas where I need healing. But I’ve come to understand that God’s invitation to the Burning Bush is not meant to shame or overwhelm us—it’s meant to shape us.

What stands out most to me is that God doesn’t only speak about what He wants us to do; He speaks about who He is calling us to become. In that sacred space, identity is refined, faith is strengthened, and purpose begins to take clearer form. My personal encounter with God hasn’t always been easy, but it has been transformative. Each step toward Him feels like shedding another layer of fear and stepping deeper into obedience, trust, and spiritual growth.

If there’s one thing I’m learning in this season, it’s that God still calls His people into holy moments, moments of surrender, consecration, and divine clarity. And often, those moments begin with a simple choice: to turn aside, to pay attention, and to say yes.

My prayer is to continue responding to His call, even when it stretches me, and to keep showing up at my Burning Bush, where God speaks, refines, and reveals the next chapter of His purpose for my life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

What could be better than that? God calls us to trust Him—especially when we feel weary, discouraged, or off course. His plans are good, His promises are sure, and His grace meets us exactly where we are.

When we truly trust the Lord with everything, we acknowledge that He is the answer to all that we are and all that we need. It comforts me to know that I can rely on God through every circumstance—even when I don’t immediately understand why I’m going through it. I simply need to wait patiently for Him to reveal the lesson or the purpose. He is always faithful. I just need to be still and wait.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of this powerful truth: 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Through broken relationships, chaos, disappointment, pain, negative self-talk, and even the emptiness that sometimes envelops us, we can experience our good God in every aspect of our lives—in every part of our being.

Each day, we must intentionally acknowledge and remind ourselves to trust the Lord in all that He does and in all circumstances of our lives. I know from experience that some days are easier than others—but with time and practice, we will experience this more often.

So I want to encourage us this year to:

• Get in the Word. Read your Bible. Engage in a daily devotion or Bible study to guide you in your walk with the Lord. Memorize scripture.
• Spend time in prayer, reflection, and quietness. Practice prayer throughout your day. When someone shares a prayer request, pray with them or for them right away.
• Worship intentionally. Acknowledge the Lord with heartfelt praise and worship each day.
• Align yourself with God. Seek where God is working and join Him. Follow His lead. Be ready to pivot, change your plans, and look beyond yourself.
• Practice thankfulness. Take time to look back on your day and acknowledge how God has blessed you. Write down what you’re thankful for—in a journal or on note cards to place around your home, car, or office.
• Remind each other that God is good. 

Let’s spur one another on. Step out of your comfort zone. Share what you’re going through—both your praises and your burdens. Listen to the Holy Spirit with an open heart and mind. Be attentive to God’s leading and the wisdom that only comes from Him. Be open, sensitive and above all—love one another.

Be encouraged. God is with you, and He is not finished yet.

May you all experience God in His fullness!

• Who are you becoming as you follow Jesus?
• And who is being impacted because you are following Jesus?

Lovingly share the first with the second. Share what God is doing in you. Share the promises He has kept and why He has kept them, grounded in Scripture. Share the rhythms of your relationship with Jesus. Start by sharing, and watch as God brings growth. Do these things intentionally and watch the Holy Spirit do the work only He can do.

This is not all of the steps of discipleship. It is the first step of an incredible journey, one that continually calls us to BE and to DO, as each fuels and deepens the other.

• PEACE belongs to me! I am a child of God. – Philippians 4:6-7
• JOY belongs to me! I am a child of God. – Psalm 28:7
• FREEDOM is my inheritance! I am a child of God. – Galatians 5:1
• I belong because I believe. – John 1:12

These truths disrupt the enemy’s attempts to turn temporary distress into despair. He may try to convince us we are unworthy, but the CROSS and Jesus’ blood have already made us worthy. It’s not about what we’ve done—it’s about what God has done.

I don’t share this to claim that I have fully overcome stress and anxiety. I share it so you can see this part of my journey in the hope that it encourages you; You are not alone as we follow Christ. I am learning to allow God to help me grow through these times of distress, facing them with Him, and using them to transform me into His image.

As Romans 15:13 reminds us:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

• Have I loved well? Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength, and to love others as you love yourself. Have I done that? Am I still doing that?
• The Bible says, “It is God who is at work in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Have I given the Lord the credit for what he’s done in me and how He has used me in other’s lives?
• Have I actually depended on the Holy Spirit to do his work in and through me, or have I relied on my own efforts, personality, or abilities?
• Am I still more concerned about what others think of me than what the Lord thinks?

After all of that reflection, I find that now I just want to express and experience my love for our Lord, to delight in his presence and in his word and in the people he has put in my life. I really believe that if I, and we, do that for as long as we have breath, I can truthfully say that he grows sweeter every day.

My journey of spiritual renewal began when I turned my focus to Bible study. For 25 years I had listened daily to the Thru The Bible Radio Ministry broadcast. While interesting at first, it eventually became background noise, and it failed to help me to put down deep roots in my faith. This changed when I turned my focus more clearly on actively listening to the broadcast with pen in hand. The Holy Spirit used my redirected attention to prompt me to read the Bible in a year. I got a hold of one of the Daily Bread booklets and followed the reading program. The act of engaging in the Word of God daily did a reset on my life!

It was not long after doing this that God directed me to Greater Portland Bible Church. Fellowshipping with other believers weekly also proved to be a catalyst to a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I began to really notice how God was working in my life, providing all my needs, and giving meaning to every aspect of worship, work, and play.

I started to cast all my cares upon the Lord because He knows what we need and promised to provide for us. I needed a new place to live, and God provided! I needed a car after an accident, and God provided! In fact, God provides all our needs and there is nothing in our lives that He does not provide!

In the Bible, the idea of trees as provision starts in the very first chapter. After making humankind in His own image, God blessed them and said to them “Here! Throughout the whole earth I am giving you as food every seed-bearing plant and every tree with seed-bearing fruit. And to every wild animal, bird in the air and creature crawling on the earth, in which there is a living soul. I am giving as food every kind of green plant” Genesis 1:29-30. God also provides the Tree of Life in the center of the garden so that they would not die.

We see provision for the land and people of Israel under King Solomon described in 1Kings 4:25 as, “and Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree.”

God continues to provide for us. In Psalms 1:3, David writes that if we delight in the Law and meditate on it, we will be like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.

If I am firmly planted in the word of God, I can see His provision for me daily. I find myself spontaneously giving thanks to God daily for every single thing in my life. Of course, God’s greatest provision for us is the salvation He provided through the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

God IS our Tree of Life!

This night, as I walk the meadow path, there is a gentle liveliness. The scent of clover lingers on the path, more pungent at this twilight hour. The expansive field displays swaying, leggy Queen Anne’s Lace, pure white with a proliferate showing. These flowers stand out with white round faces against the emerald-turning-to-black field as the night ensues. It reminds me of how the earth looks now from heaven’s view: glory shining from sons and daughters, like stars in the sky. I have to stop and pause and take it all in.

Fireflies suddenly abundant, active like silent fairies alighting on and off, up and down. The meadow is alive in motion like a heavenly choreography.

The scene brings to mind how often the night skies especially humble us and bring us closer to learning to fear the Lord and His magnitude. And if it isn’t the sky, the flickering wonder in the meadow has the same effect.

Psalm 19:1-4 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands…night after night they reveal knowledge, they have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world...” I stop to listen to the silent speech, and let it echo through my soul.

Verse seven goes on to say, “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart…”

As I wind my way around the meadow path, I see a copse of birch trees, white against the darkening silhouetted woods. They make a backdrop for tangerine-colored clouds and dark blue pastel sky—the fiery show in full glory. There are “surround-sound” cicadas and crickets, almost deafening. An owl swoops low, looking for prey.

I left my home moments ago, longing to be refreshed and to gain perspective on the worries of life. Those burdens could so easily eclipse the beauty God wants to reveal and the delight of the Father in sharing it with us. Here, His presence awaits. His manifest love is in the glorious scene. I worship. He refreshes and restores.

I return home with a wisdom His nature imparts, and joy in the heart—the classroom of a meadow at night, a profound teacher!

To forget to bring something really important, so that I can remember all the things I can live without, so that I can be eternally grateful for the things I have. To be in complete nature, alone, away from as many reminders of civilization (people included) as possible, and, when there is talking, it is about deep things, spoken in thoughtful, quiet, sober tones.

At least that has been my rough definition of camping until recently.

I’ve had to modify that definition a bit because, over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of spending the first weekend of August “camping” with my church family. 

At the GPBC all-church campout, for me, there seems to be less contemplation and more laughing, more games than stories, and far more cooking and eating than the grazing that I am usually accustomed to while camping. There is more comfort—more baggage and technology—than I have while camping. Yet, I began to realize that camping might be less about how I camp than what I do while camping.

Firstly, I had to expand the idea of a camping community. See, camping for me is getting away into the woods with as few people as possible, and to leave everyone else alone. Yet, our church’s campout was about bringing as many people as possible with us! It was about letting the Lord affect more people, not fewer.

During the four days at this year’s campout, I watched as my church family blessed others, maybe not consciously, maybe not intentionally, maybe quite imperfectly. I saw my church in action. I saw a reflection of Jesus modeled in conspicuous displays of acceptance, in healing touches, and encouraging words. I saw Jesus in relationships within our body and without. It was clear to me that people outside our group were watching us with a sense of longing for belonging. 

Each GPBC person displayed their gifts, their vastly different gifts. Some were given patience where I had little. Some showed mercy, offering a healing touch. Others served. Some built others up with a simple, cheerful word.

“Camping” is indeed about being uncomfortable for a short time—in the presence of situations and people that might make us uncomfortable—so that we can be comforted, in turn, by Heaven’s mercy. Camping is forgetting all of those important things we have worked so hard to remember—our stuff, our politics, our philosophies, our personalities and experiences, our most sacred authenticities—so that we can be eternally grateful for the lasting things God has given us. Camping, for me, has become more about serving and including others in an open invitation to a deeper relationship with the Lord, Giver of Good Gifts.

Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

You even find some strict rules:
“Don’t eat this kind of meat.”
“Keep your beard a certain way.”
“Don’t work on this day of the week.”

Although those instructions weren’t for you, it still show who your father was — what he cared about: discipline, integrity, faithfulness, excellence.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
(2 Timothy 3:16)

It’s exactly like that with God’s Word.

The Old Testament is full of instructions written to Israel — our big brother — who faithfully preserved God’s Word throughout history, keeping the lights on for the world to see and shining the light to others.

We were also told:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
(Matthew 4:4)

Every word — even the ones addressed to big brother — still has value for us.
We don’t follow the Old Testament laws to earn favor, but they help us see our Father’s heart.

Ever hear scoffers ask...?
“Why don’t you Christians stop eating pork if your Bible says it’s wrong?”
“Why don’t you stone rebellious kids like your Old Testament commands?”

— They don’t understand who God was writing to.

“For freedom Christ has set us free.”
(Galatians 5:1)

Big brother, just like Old Testament Israel, spent his years meticulously keeping the lights on — not just for himself, but so the whole world could see — sweeping floors, tending the building, and shining the light to others.

But when the veil was torn — by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross...

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
(Matthew 27:51)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
(Matthew 5:14)

...big brother was released from his old role and commissioned to join his little brother — together building the kingdom of God until the day Christ returns.

It’s obvious every time I come to church, from the greeters, baristas, teachers, and all the “behind the scenes” people — it’s all working together beautifully.

The Kingdom of God is alive and well, and it makes me proud to work alongside you — in God’s family business.

Truly the best-kept secret in Portland.

Muizenberg had surfing, yoga, great cafes--everything to love. But once we settled in and Louis started preschool, I felt aimless. The wealth gap was hard to witness, and pregnancy made emotions run deep. Though Dean was born there with a wonderful midwife in Muizenberg, I left South Africa unsure how God had used that season in my life.

But God has a way of winking at us through the beautiful threads He weaves into our story.

Almost a decade later, in 2022, we started attending GPBC and met the Brune family: Kimberly, Oliver, and their kids Eve and Quinn, who had just returned from Muizenberg. As it turns out, we’d been neighbors in Muizenberg back in 2013 and never met. Kimberly remembers seeing Louis on his scoot bike; her daughter Eve and my son Dean were born two months apart in Muizenberg, delivered by the same midwife. And now, years later, all our kids have attended Maplewood Elementary together in Portland.

Kimberly and I have since connected deeply, sharing stories of how God is working in our lives. Our shared Muizenberg chapter gives us a unique bond. And now, as the Brunes prepare to return to South Africa this fall, I pray for them with vivid memories of that place—and with a heart full of gratitude for how God has been weaving it all together.

God is the great Redeemer of time, place, emotion, and seemingly random details. Joel 2:25 says He redeems the years. It makes me wonder: what story is He weaving now in each of our lives that we’ll only see unfold later?

Sometimes friends ask why we take responsibility for the campout and all that goes into it; that we value and commit to this year after year puzzles them. To some we just say it's a fun time, but others deserve a more in-depth explanation. And so, we tell them this...

There's more to following Christ than showing up on Sunday or only doing what's fun at the moment. There's a deeper level of commitment to one another. We are instructed to help each other grow in faith, live out our faith the way Jesus instructed, and not let the spiritually wounded die on the side of the road. And we're to be a living example of God's love, not only among each other, but to the rest of the world. Those are tall orders. We not only need the help of the Holy Spirit, God designed things so we need to rely on and help each other as well.

At the practical level, to fulfill this, we need to know each other at deeper levels, help each other, enjoy each other, and pray for each other. This requires spending time together in various ways and settings.

The campout is a tool. It's an opportunity for us to enjoy each other in a relaxed and recreational setting. It's a concentrated time to make new friends, deepen relationships, and create good memories. And Saturday evening, after playing Cornhole, volleyball, floating the Clackamas River, or just relaxing and conversing, we gather for a potluck dinner and worship. This year we will hear how God has radically transformed Alejandro Castro's life into what it is today. And, singing will be led by Greg Hardman. I must say, the weekend goes by way too fast.

The campout serves as a tangible expression of this deeper commitment to one another. It’s more than just a fun weekend away—it’s an intentional space where we can build relationships, strengthen our faith, and encourage each other in the journey of following Christ. Through shared experiences and meaningful connections, we grow together as a community, giving us greater opportunity to live out the love and grace God has shown us.

We encourage folks to sign up to join us for the weekend. If you don't camp, come up for the day Saturday, but please let us know ahead of time.

I do want to note, we need some folks to help on the planning team. We have operated with five of us for several years. This has been an understaffed level, but this year will be the last for two of the team members, leaving us further understaffed. Commitments aren't lifetime, and we're very grateful for their dedication and service. For more info, contact either Myrna or Paul Hill. We'd be glad to answer your questions.

Also, pray for the campout. Not only for a safe, relaxing, and fruitful time this year, but for years to come. Clackamas County has added new rules that will make it harder for us to gather, or congregate at campsites. We are considering changing venues, but there is a lot to consider. We need prayer, ideas, and more willing hands.

Luke 9:23-25 NLT

We live in a culture where it is so normal to put oneself first. Jesus is calling us to live radically different from our culture and even to deny our personal preferences. First step, we must give up our own way. I will say it is easier to do this in theory. Growing up, I loved the idea of going on short term mission trips overseas. It was exciting to me to be submerged in a different culture and be useful to people. But, it is really in the mundane, consistent, often unseen work where we are truly refined to be more like Jesus. 

Think of the process it takes to reveal a diamond. Approximately 550,000 lbs of soil, sand and rock must be blasted, crushed and processed to yield a single carat of rough diamond. That reminds me of God’s rescue process. He rescues us even when we are so buried in our own sins and disobedience. When we acknowledge that He is the only way and commit to him we are immediately accepted as a son or daughter of God. This reminds me of how the diamond is found in the rough ground. After the diamond is discovered and rescued, it goes through a time-intensive reshaping, polishing, and cutting to reveal its value. Jesus is continually refining and shaping us to be more like Him. Additionally, it takes two diamonds spun side by side next to each other to shape the diamonds. This reminds me of the value of community to shape and form us to be more like Jesus. There is value in the process of revealing and polishing a diamond. Originally, the diamond is buried there in the dirt, but it is hard work to prepare it to shine. 

It is easy to love people when they don’t need us constantly, when we can keep our distance. Prayer and consistent time with the Lord is really the only way I can become more like Jesus–treating people as He would. Jesus set the example for prayer and communication with His heavenly Father who was not visible from earth. In my younger years, I was unsure how to pray, and I thought it was more of a formula: ACTS, Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. I would think there was a right and wrong way to talk with God, which ended up distancing my prayers to him as I thought I might be praying the “wrong way.” I am learning that prayer can be even in a breath. Thinking of responding in a habitual or selfish way? Pause, “Lord, guide me in love and patience in this interaction.” That’s it! It takes one breath to communicate with my heavenly Father in a moment that I have limited patience and wisdom. 

Secondly, we are asked to take up our cross daily. Ugh, really? Does that mean that we must be prepared to suffer? I think Jesus took much of our suffering when he died on that cross, but we will have times of suffering in this world. Maybe it is an unjust experience at work, maybe it is a mental anguish or even physical sickness. I have had times that have felt like suffering. Holding up my cross daily means a posture of daily surrender and without Jesus, I am fragile. I can ask Jesus what area in my life I need to surrender to Him. For me, I am called first to love and serve my family. My family needs my continual attention, service, and love. Practically, I need to be willing to yield, pause, and change direction if my family needs some additional support or rest. Jesus called us to a refined, holy life, not an easy life. Desiring holiness and sacrificial love is worth more than any temporary worldly treasures.

Worship as a Reminder of God’s Unchanging Nature
Weekly worship serves as a powerful reminder that God’s worth is not dependent on our emotions, circumstances, or personal achievements. Whether we are experiencing joy or sorrow, success or failure, God remains infinitely worthy of our praise. Worship shifts our focus from the instability of life to the steadfastness of God, anchoring us in His truth.

The Impact on Our Perspective
When we intentionally set aside time each week to worship, we cultivate a perspective that transcends the temporary. Worship helps us see beyond the immediate struggles and victories, reminding us that our identity and purpose are rooted in something far greater than ourselves. It fosters humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of peace, knowing that we serve a God whose worth does not waver.

Strengthening Our Faith Through Worship
Faith is not just about believing in God—it is about trusting in His unchanging nature. Weekly worship strengthens our faith by reinforcing the truth of who God is. Through songs, prayers, and reflection on His Word, we are reminded that His love, power, and promises remain steadfast. This consistency builds confidence in our walk with Him, allowing us to navigate life’s uncertainties with unwavering trust.

Worship as a Communal Experience
While personal worship is vital, gathering with others in worship amplifies its impact. Corporate worship fosters unity, encouragement, and accountability. It reminds us that we are not alone in our journey of faith. As we collectively declare God’s worth, we strengthen one another, creating a community rooted in the truth that He is always worthy—regardless of what we face.

A Call to Intentional Worship
To fully experience the transformative power of worship, we must approach it with intentionality. It is not merely about attending a service or singing songs—it is about engaging our hearts and minds in the truth of God’s unchanging worth. Whether through music, prayer, Scripture, or quiet reflection, worship should be a time of genuine connection with the One who remains constant.

In a world of uncertainty, weekly worship is a sacred rhythm that grounds us in the eternal truth of God’s worth. It is a practice that renews our minds, strengthens our faith, and deepens our relationship with Him. As we commit to worshiping regularly, we are reminded that no matter what changes around us, God remains worthy—always.

Some moments have been incredibly inspiring. I’ve witnessed a woman in the Philippines miraculously healed and her faith restored. I’ve seen churches grow in Spain, surrounded by communities often resistant to the gospel. And I’ve met courageous believers in South Asia who continue to follow Jesus boldly, even under the threat of arrest. These experiences have reminded me that God’s kingdom is alive and advancing, even in places we rarely hear about.

Of course, not every experience has been easy. Cross-cultural ministry often brings challenges—language barriers, unfamiliar customs, and different ways of doing life and ministry. Each time I travel to a new country, I’m mindful that my words or actions could unintentionally affect the trust and connection our Global Partners have built with their communities. As a woman, I’ve also had to learn how to navigate cultural expectations around gender roles, being careful to respect local norms while still engaging meaningfully.

All of this has reminded me that mission is not about imposing our culture on others; it’s about meeting people where they are, with humility and love, to share the hope of Jesus. While cultures may differ, the message of salvation remains the same—God is making Himself know in every corner of the world, calling people to follow Him. This mission goes beyond culture differences, language barriers, and borders—it’s about seeing lives transformed by the power of the Gospel.

And while not everyone is called to go overseas, every believer is called to be part of God’s global mission. We can pray, give, welcome, send, and—when God leads—go, both locally and globally.

Revelation 7:9 gives us a glimpse of what’s ahead—people from every nation, tribe, and language worshipping before God’s throne. What a joy that we get to be part of that story!

If Jesus is who He says He is, it's worth leaving everything for. C.S. Lewis wrote, "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance; the only thing it cannot be is moderately important." This realization changed my life forever. Yet, most people I knew were in the same position, Christian by name and nothing more or not even claiming it at all.
 
Since that moment, the realization of the need to spread the Gospel to the whole world has become a priority in my life. As I approach graduation and continue discerning God's calling, I feel led to serve overseas, specifically with unreached Muslim groups. In May, I’ll be taking a vision trip to the Middle East to further discern where God desires me to serve long-term.
 
I am deeply grateful for the way God has called me to serve in this mission, and I want to remind each of us that we are all called to participate in His great work. The beauty of God's Kingdom is that He invites all of us, no matter where we are or what our circumstances may be, to be part of this mission. Some are called to go overseas, to venture out into the world and share the gospel in places where His name has not been heard. Others are called to stay and labor in the harvest at home, to be a light in their own communities, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
 
But even for those who may not be able to go physically, prayer remains an essential part of this mission. In fact, prayer is perhaps one of the most powerful and effective tools we have in furthering God’s Kingdom. In discussing our growth in prayer, as well as the outward work he accomplishes, Saint Augustine wrote, “Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not.”
 
Church, how are you participating in this mission? "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few" (Luke 10:2).

**John Luke is a pseudonym in order to protect future ministry opportunities.

• What God has done
• What God allows
• What God is doing
• And what we are doing

God is always working. And he invites us to respond and participate. It’s in this last area, what we are doing, where a lot of us start to feel stuck.

Because if we’re being honest and you’ve followed Jesus for a while, most of us know what the Bible says. We know that God loves us. That we’re forgiven. That he’s with us. But there are still times when we just don’t feel it. We feel condemned. Or distant. Or like something is broken inside that hasn’t caught up to the truth.

That disconnect between what we know and what we feel can be feel paralyzing. It raises all sorts of questions. Why doesn’t this feel real? Why do I keep getting stuck in the same patterns? What’s wrong with me?

The truth is, nothing is wrong with you. That gap between head and heart is often the place where sanctification happens. The Spirit doesn’t just grow our knowledge or help us obey more. He leads us into something deeper. He brings the truth to life in our hearts, reshaping who we are, what we love, and where we place our trust.

But that transfer from knowing to truly believing is not always automatic. And sometimes, it gets blocked.
Part of our role in this process is to slow down long enough to ask some honest questions.

What’s in the way? What’s keeping this truth from becoming real in my life? Why do I believe it in my head but still struggle to live from it?

Sometimes the block is spiritual. Maybe there is unconfessed sin that is hardening your heart or unresolved shame that keeps you shying away from accepting forgiveness. Sometimes it’s emotional. Maybe there is a wound that hasn’t healed yet, a betrayal or trauma that made it hard to trust. Sometimes it’s physiological. Maybe you are walking through depression or anxiety, and no matter how much you pray or read, you still feel numb or overwhelmed.

These things do not disprove the healing power of the gospel. They are the places where the gospel needs to be applied.

The Word of God is alive. It has power. But if something in us is resisting or unable to receive it, the answer is not always to just try harder or read more. Sometimes the next step is to ask, what is going on under the surface? What part of me needs healing, not just more information?

If we ignore that kind of reflection and reduce growth to just willpower or head knowledge, we can end up only knowing the truth but not allowing it to change us. And that leaves us stuck in the very places God is trying to move us from.

But when we name the barriers and invite God into them, real change can happen. We begin to experience transformation from the inside out. We are not just learning the truth, we are becoming shaped by it.

That is the kind of discipleship we want to pursue. One that honors the complexity of the human heart and trusts the Spirit to do deep, patient, beautiful work over time.

So, if you are in a place where truth feels stuck, where what you know hasn’t quite made it to your heart yet, don’t beat yourself up. That does not mean you are failing. It means God is still working. And your part may be to ask:

What is blocking the transfer from my head to my heart?

Let’s name it, bring it into the light, and walk out the work of sanctification together.

One significant trial was in music. I began playing the trumpet at age eight, and I was gifted. From day one, I pursued music with intense dedication through practice, private lessons, education, competitions, and performances. Playing trumpet was my passion, worship, ministry, career pursuit, success, and reputation. I encountered some trials being a girl in a boy’s world, but God strengthened me to not let them deter me. Then, at age 32, I was maimed by a dental procedure - main canal nerve damage with facial paralysis meant I could no longer play the trumpet. I did not blame or question God, but I was hurting physically and struggling emotionally with depression. I also wrestled with my identity in Christ: I thought I’d surrendered my musical gifting to the Lord, but through this hard loss, I discovered I had not. I experienced spiritual disappointment with myself. In a church service, overwhelmed by all these feelings, I sought God. Nearby, I saw a family and their child was battling cancer. They showed strong faith in a devastating situation, and I believed I would not endure it as well as them. Seeing their trial, I felt ashamed and small for being so discouraged in mine. Right then, the Spirit whispered to me. I learned: Don’t compare your trials to others’, and remember God’s truths.

LIE: My trial is insignificant compared to another’s or my problems matter less to God.
TRUTH: Trials, like sin, do not have a hierarchy in God’s economy. For each person, their trial is real to them - heartache and suffering - regardless of others’ tribulations. Every believer is a child of God and matters to him. (Gal 3:26, Rom 5:8)

LIE: I have less faith than others.
TRUTH: They are experiencing God’s presence (Is 43:1-2, 1 Peter 5:10). The thought of their trial is unbearable to us because, in that moment, we do not need or possess His grace for that specific trial. If we later encounter that trial, Jesus will meet us with his comfort and strength.

LIE: Some don’t have trials - their life is better or easier than mine.
TRUTH: Others’ trials may be unknown or unseen, but they do have them. (2 Cor 4:18)

I’ve also learned to strive for more than just surviving the troubles God allows in my life, and the outcome of the trial does not define success.

“By whatever means God ordains (“trials”), the more we seek him, engage him, experience him, to that same degree we will be transformed into the likeness of Christ.” - Chip Ingram

In seeking, God hears my cries and meets me in my despair. By engaging, Jesus reveals himself, often in new ways, and I find comfort, peace, clarity, and strength. By experiencing my Redeemer in deeper relationship, I better understand and trust God’s character as He lovingly guides me in the sanctification of mine. Victory is in my perseverance and growth!

I’m available to share my full story, encourage, and provide resources to women who are experiencing relational trials where there is addiction, abuse, or sexual betrayal. (2 Cor 1:4)

A Daughter of the Most High King,

Tamara

Additional Scripture: 2 Cor 4:7-9, 1 Tim 3:10, Is 41:10, Psalm 91:9-10, Phil 4:13, 2 Cor 12:9-10.

At the end of 2024, amid leadership changes, Christmas, and general busyness, something unexpected happened: I was asked to teach a discipleship methodology—not a program or curriculum—to the staff. As I dove into the material, joining a cohort and absorbing thousands of pages, podcasts, and scripture references, three words emerged repeatedly: Relational. Intentional. Reproducible. Jesus made disciples in a relational environment as an intentional leader using a reproducible process.

I believe in not reinventing the wheel—especially when the wheel belongs to the God of the universe. As I explored ways to introduce these ideas to the church, one thing was clear: we excel at being relational. This is hands down the most loving, hospitable church I’ve ever encountered. On my very first Sunday, after meeting Pastor Greg for coffee, I walked in and was immediately greeted by name by someone. That underlined how much this church values relationships.

In studying this methodology, I came across Brandon Guindon's book Intentional, which recounts his daughter’s recovery from a traumatic accident. Doctors explained the four stages of learning: unconscious incapable (you don’t know what you don’t know), conscious incapable (you realize you can’t do it), conscious capable (you can do it with effort), and unconscious capable (you do it automatically). Guindon applies this to Jesus' discipleship process, highlighting eight intentional practices we can develop:

1. Jesus listened to understand.
   He didn’t just hear words—He understood hearts. When speaking with the Samaritan woman, He didn’t just acknowledge her answers; He saw her pain and rejection.
2. Jesus sought the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
   Before choosing the Twelve, He spent an entire night in prayer. My prayers often look more like “Lord, help me survive Jr. High boys,” but Jesus prioritized deep connection with the Father.
3. Jesus saw potential in people before they saw it in themselves.
   He told Simon, “You will be called Peter (the Rock).” Peter—the guy I consider the smartest dumb guy in the Bible—was transformed by Jesus' vision for him.
4. Jesus invited people to follow Him.
   He didn’t just say “do this”—He said “come and see.” His disciples didn’t learn through lectures but by walking alongside Him.
5. Jesus was interruptible.
   His plans were constantly interrupted, yet He saw these as divine appointments. Whether by children, crowds, or the sick, He responded with compassion.
6. Jesus spoke truth in love.
   He never avoided hard truths but always communicated from a foundation of relationship and love.
7. Jesus stayed on mission despite opposition.
   Rejection, misunderstanding, and even death didn’t deter Him from His purpose.
8. Jesus released His disciples to go and make more disciples.
   He didn’t create dependent followers; He equipped and sent them out to multiply His work.

What excites me is how practical these practices are. They aren’t just for pastors—they’re for all of us. Whether as a parent, coworker, neighbor, or friend, you can:

• Listen deeply to those around you.
• Seek the Spirit’s guidance in relationships.
• Call out potential in others.
• Invite people to walk alongside you in daily life.
• Remain open to divine interruptions.
• Speak truth with love.
• Stand firm in challenges.
• Release and empower others to lead.

Imagine if we became unconscious capable at these eight things, creating ever-widening circles of discipleship. That’s not a program—it’s a reproducible movement. And it’s exactly what Jesus had in mind.

Have you ever had a time in your life when everything seemed to be going smoothly, and then something happened that caused an unexpected "bump"? Maybe the event itself wasn’t surprising, but the emotions it stirred up caught you off guard. Sometimes, those emotions can feel heavy to carry alone. It’s in these moments that having someone to walk alongside us in a caring, Christ-centered way can make all the difference.

That’s what Stephen Ministry is all about.

I first learned about Stephen Ministry more than 30 years ago when GPBC was just beginning the program. At the time, I was working as a Nursing Home Administrator, and I knew that I was wired more for thinking than for feeling. A personality inventory had confirmed it—I was practical, analytical, and not naturally high in the empathy department. While this served me well in my profession, I recognized that it didn’t always help me in my relationships.

So when I heard that our church was starting a ministry focused on compassionate, Christ-centered listening, I signed up.

Through Stephen Ministry, I not only learned how to be a better listener but also developed skills that shaped the rest of my life. When I applied for a new job working in special education for my children’s school district, I listed my Stephen Ministry training on my resume. To my surprise, my future employer recognized the program and valued the skills I had gained through it—which helped me secure the position. Later, I returned to college and earned my Master’s in Social Work with a graduate certificate in Gerontology. Even as I worked as a Case Manager in Aging Services at Neighborhood House in Multnomah Village, I continued to be involved with Stephen Ministry, finding that the skills I had gained applied in every area of life.

Stephen Ministers aren’t counselors, therapists, or professional caregivers, but they are well-trained, supervised volunteers who provide high-quality, confidential, one-on-one care. They offer a listening ear, a compassionate heart, and a Christ-centered presence for those going through difficult seasons. Supervision and confidentiality are key aspects of the ministry, ensuring that those receiving care feel safe to share openly, knowing their stories remain private.

God has been faithful to lead me into countless situations where I’ve used what I’ve learned through Stephen Ministry, and I continue to grow every day. I might still be more of a “thinker” at heart, but I know that the Holy Spirit has shaped me into a more empathetic listener, blessing me in ways I never expected.

If you’re going through a challenging time and could use a caring presence to walk alongside you, Stephen Ministers are here to help. To learn more, email us at stephenministry@pdxchurch.org.

I was noticing on my feed one day recently a young “content creator” in Portland who has taken it upon himself to post his reviews of seemingly every delectable bakery in the area. He displays many items on each of the bakery menus with tantalizing videos of amazing desserts and sweet items that all seem to get 5 stars as he devours them unashamedly!

This came to mind as I was reading the Psalms. In Psalm 63:3-5, David says “Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you! I will honor you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest of foods. I will praise you with songs of joy.”

King David is such a good example for us in role modeling what our life of prayer could be. He focuses on God’s unfailing love and then begins praising and honoring Him. David is testifying to his personal experience in how to kindle a close connection with the Father. As we follow his example, we are encouraged to lift up our hands in a physical response and praise Him with songs of joy. Here our hearts stay soft instead of fearful or cynical. God’s response? Satisfying us deeply more than the richest of foods could do for us!  

What a great way to enhance prayer times for this season of GPBC, as many transitions are anticipated. Your commitment to praying for this is so appreciated and important.

My mother, a simple, loving, Christian woman, modeled love in its truest form. She loved God with all her heart and demonstrated this love by loving those around her. She was generous, selfless, and compassionate, always willing to help neighbors in need. Whether by providing material assistance, offering her time, or praying with them, she never hesitated to extend herself. Her actions taught me that loving God with all our hearts, minds, and souls, and loving our neighbors as ourselves, is the ultimate way to serve Him. As we’ve been learning in Dick Middlebrook's Sunday morning class, our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and Sadducees only when we not only love God but also love others as ourselves.

From my mother, I learned that love isn’t about convenience. It often requires sacrifice and a willingness to give without expecting anything in return. I remember a moment during my undergraduate days when I asked my dad if I could take a table fan back to school. He laughed and said, "no," jokingly calling me “Santa Claus” because he believed the fan would never return home. I smiled because, in truth, he wasn’t far off—I have always found joy in sharing with others, even at a personal cost.

One of my favorite scriptures is, “He that gives to the poor lends to the Lord” (Proverbs 19:17). It’s humbling to think about lending to the Creator of all things: “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). How much “interest” might He repay us for such a gesture? In my life, I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in ways that underscore this principle. People often ask how we came to live in this country or how two of my oldest children attended a private boarding high school in California, followed by college opportunities. The journey is a testament to God’s provision.

Back in Nigeria, my two oldest daughters started playing tennis at ages six and three. Over the years, they became quite skilled and began representing Nigeria in international tournaments. I frequently traveled with them for matches in various countries. Despite the demands of these travels, we never stopped helping those in need as the Lord enabled us. Recognizing that the girls needed better opportunities, both for tennis and life in general, we began praying and trusting God for a way forward. To our amazement, the Nigerian federal government offered both girls full scholarships to pursue academics and tennis abroad, covering their education from middle school through college. Moreover, we were allowed to choose the country of their studies.

This was a vivid reminder of God’s faithfulness: when we lend to the Lord, He always pays back abundantly.

Love, as I’ve come to understand, is far more than a feeling or emotion. It is an action word—a verb. Love is demonstrated through acts of kindness, support, patience, and understanding. It is intentional, requiring us to look beyond ourselves to meet the needs of those around us. Sometimes, love is as simple as saying hello, offering a listening ear, or giving a heartfelt hug. Love can be expressed in countless ways, big and small. Remember, “….What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Ultimately, the greatest commandment is this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). May we strive to live this out daily, letting love be the defining mark of our lives.

I was fortunate to connect with a roommate who shared my Christian faith and values, which made the transition smoother. As the semester progressed, I became more comfortable at school and built lasting friendships—some with fellow Christians and others with individuals of different beliefs. Early on, a few friends and I set out to find a church in Forest Grove that we connected with. After some searching, we found a church we could worship at, and we made attending services a regular part of our routine.

However, my schedule became more complicated when I learned that I had a required dance class that would meet on Sundays. I made an effort to attend church whenever I didn't have class, and on weeks when I couldn’t attend in person, I would watch the service online.

Reflecting on the verse from Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope," I’ve been reminded to place my trust in God’s plan for me. This semester has been a time of transition, and through it all, I’ve learned to rely on God’s guidance to help navigate these new experiences. His faithfulness continues to provide me with the strength and assurance I need to embrace the future with hope.

The second thing I want to pass on to her is the importance of relationships, especially her relationship with her family and all the wonderful things they can bring to her as she is loved and loves them. I hope she will know that she will always be loved and delighted by her great grandparents and all the other family who she encounters. I hope she will know that she is part of a circle that has come before her and will continue after her and that she can be influenced by this network of people who love her and she will pass on that love and influence.

The third thing I hope to pass on to Posie is the love of God’s Word. I hope she delights in it as God reveals Himself to her through it. May she have a reverence and love for it as it leads her closer to her Savior.

Fourth, I want her to have a love of reading. Reading opens her mind to discovery, learning, delight, and imagination. May she enjoy cozy moments curled up with a book that will teach her, delight her, and allow her to get lost in a story.

Finally, I hope Posie will delight in God’s creation, acknowledging the Creator of all that surrounds her, and basking in what He has done. All these are things I am already praying for her to grasp and understand.
How about you?  What is your relationship with God, His Son, His Word, His creation, and the relationships He has placed around you?  Do they all draw you closer to Him?  How can you influence those you encounter or those in your family to grasp these important relationships?

In this first month of the new year, may God give us all the desire to grow in these relationships together as a church family, influencing all we encounter in the year to come.

According to the USGA, the term Mulligan first achieved widespread use in the 1940s. There are many theories about the origin of the term. The USGA explains that Mulligan is derived from the name of a Canadian golfer, David Mulligan, who played during the 1920s. Story has it that one day after slicing his tee shot into the woods, Mr. Mulligan teed up another ball and shot again. He called it a correction shot, but his friends thought it more fitting to call it a Mulligan.

Transition is an important and inevitable part of life. How we navigate transition tells us a lot about ourselves. Transition reveals our deepest fears. Our highest values. Where we want control. What or who we place our trust in. In the last four and half years, I have closed down my business, moved across the country by myself, moved four times around Portland, raised support for a full-time ministry role, started several new jobs, gotten married, became a stepmom, became a “nonna” (I’m not ready to be called “grandma” just yet!), and most recently- became a mama to a sweet little boy with a cleft palate and an extra chromosome. Whew!

I feel like life has continued to change at a rapid pace these last few years- much faster than I’ve felt I could keep up with. It has forced me to confront the areas in my life that I struggle to maintain control and just how much of a perfectionist I tend to be!

When the elders approached me in October of 2022 regarding the role of worship leader at GPBC, my first instinct was to run. For those who may not know, I never wanted or pursued the role of worship leader. Long story short, the Lord made it pretty clear to both my husband, Chris, and I that He was inviting me to step into the position- for the purpose of growing and more importantly, serving Him and our church family when a need presented itself.

It was a difficult season for me- learning a new, very uncomfortable role while also learning to be a wife and stepmom for the first time. However, at the risk of sounding trite, God really does give grace for seasons of transition. A lot of that grace showed up in the form of my fellow staff members and the team of volunteers that I was so privileged to lead.  And while there are things that I would do very differently if I could go back, I am grateful to have learned the things I’ve learned.

• I’ve learned that I’m much more task-oriented and not nearly as pastoral as I thought!
• I’ve learned that having hard conversations is crucial to being a good leader.
• I’ve learned that avoiding conflict only further damages relationships.
• I’ve learned the importance of having vision and communicating it consistently.

Yet, despite the challenges, I have been so encouraged and humbled by the love and support you all have shown my family and me throughout these past couple of years. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your worship leader, and thank you for releasing me with your blessing to transition into this new season of motherhood.

Looking to Jesus, as He continues to reveal His next steps for Greater Portland Bible Church.

Grace and peace,

Rebekah

At the Women’s Retreat, Kimberly Brune spoke about legacy and mentioned the oak tree. Did you know that it can take 20-50 years for an oak tree to fully mature? So an oak tree legacy is a “seed” that you plant but you may not be around to see the fruit.  

I believe there are three areas of opportunity we have to plant seeds: our finances, our time, and our prayers.  

Our Finances: Are we tithing? Are we supporting our global partners? Are we giving to other organizations? Our money does go a long way in spreading the Gospel. It helps with the current and ongoing ministries of the church to teach God’s Word to believers as well as future believers. Those of us who are Christians today, are here because of past generation’s giving money to the church (oak tree legacy). If you are not tithing, I encourage you to give something. No matter how small the amount, the important part is to start. 

Our Time:  Are you volunteering anywhere? Are you getting to know your neighbors? Are you spending time with the next generations? No matter how old you are, unless you are a newborn, there is a generation behind you.  We have plenty of opportunities to give our time. Sally Bland would love to have help with the Homework Club. Many of those kids are unchurched. This may be the one opportunity they have to be around a believer. Did your neighbor just have a baby or perhaps an illness? Offer to take a meal or go grocery shopping. Start building relationship bridges. Spend time with your grandkids. If you don’t have any, “adopt’ some. There are many kids without grandparents who are missing out on the joy of someone older loving on them. 

Our Prayers: Has God laid anyone on your heart? Are you praying for our church leaders? Government leaders? Teachers? Grandkids? God calls us to pray. He doesn’t discriminate and neither should we. Hate your neighbor? Pray for him. Be a blessing. Hate the government? Pray about it. Don’t get along with your brother? Pray for him. You may not see a change of heart, but it will change yours! 

If you don’t know what to pray, pray Ephesians 3:16 and personalize the “you” with the person’s name. “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it, and may you be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:16, NLT) 

I would encourage you to give some thought to what your legacy with be. Try to be more intentional. Our treasure on earth will perish, but the treasure we store up in heaven is imperishable (1 Peter). May your legacy and mine be ones that truly are imperishable! 

Stephen Ministers are specially trained to engage with people who are hurting—not as counselors, but as companions in the journey. These ministers are trained to be a Christ-centered caregiver, staying connected to Jesus as He works through them to bring care, compassion, and healing. As Jesus says in John 15:4-5, it’s essential to remain connected to Him while doing ministry. Stephen Ministers provide the care, but it’s God who brings the healing. We are all broken, but through the cross of Jesus, we can be made whole. That’s why we say: Stephen Ministers are the caregivers, and God is the Curegiver!

Back to Pastor Tom’s statement: “Some of us are spiritually unemployed, uncertain where we are to serve. We might be asking ourselves, ‘Where does God want to employ me? Where does He want me to serve?’

Stephen Ministry is currently looking to add more Stephen Ministers to its team to serve our community. Training begins this coming January. If you feel called to care for people one-on-one and be the hands and feet of Jesus—or even if you just want to take the training to see if it’s a good fit—we’d love to talk with you. You’ll gain valuable skills for your Christian walk, even if you decide not to become a Stephen Minister.

Visit our table in the lobby starting Sunday, October 13 for more information, or contact Mitch Lea (mitch.lea27@gmail.com), Steve or Mary Muir (smmuirhm@hotmail.com), Jane Lewis (jmlewis215@gmail.com), or Paula Peterson (intheair001@comcast.net), stephenministry@pdxchurch.org, or the church office at (503) 452-9375.

Imagine you are attending the First Christian Church of Ephesus in the 90s. Not the 1990s, but the 090s. Here is a city probably second in size and importance in its day, second only to Rome. This church is starting in a time that was not friendly or safe for Christians. Not only did Rome hate and persecute them, so did the Jews. They considered Christians, particularly Gentile Christians, a heresy and a serious threat.

But this church had a very strong foundation. First, they were planted and started by the Apostle Paul, followed by Timothy, and later they were pastored by the last remaining Apostle, John. That’s a pretty incredible line-up, but 40 years after Paul planted the church, Jesus himself had this to say to them as dictated directly to John in exile on the Island of Patmos:

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands…”(Lampstands here represent the different churches.) “…I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardship for my name, and have not grown weary…”

Sounds pretty good, right! They were doing all the right things. But Jesus, like any good teacher, began by praising their strengths. Then…then He added: “Yet I hold this against you. You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place…” Revelation 2:1-5

Forty years after its birth, this incredibly gifted and strong church gets a slap on the wrist and a severe warning from the Lord. They were doing all the right things, but they had lost their first love, their fire, their enthusiasm, the life within them. If this could happen to this special church started by Paul, nurtured by Timothy, and under the leadership of the last surviving Apostle, John, later, what might the Lord be saying of us? It’s a wake-up call.

Matt went on in his first session to say that the Ephesians did something really weird. He said it several times: “Really weird!” They loved people. In the beginning, when they were walking in their “first love,” they loved people…and one group of people in particular. They loved the Christian church of Jerusalem. And they loved them to the point that they sacrificed dearly to send money to support them.

“Weird?” we ask? What’s so weird about that? Well, it’s not weird to us who live today. We, in our churches now, have 2000 years of Christian values passed down to us, so we send financial help to churches all over the world. In fact, we send financial assistance to all kinds of needs all over the world, not just to other Christians. Even those who are not Christians today give to causes everywhere because of the values that Christ taught and have been passed down to them.

Not so in the Roman-dominated world of the 090s. People didn’t give a thought beyond their own little world within the world. Especially not out of their culture group. But we do today, and Ephesus did then. Why? It was a mystery that was prophesied for centuries. There would come a time when God would bring the “whole world” together. The mystery was how would He do that. And the answer was something Paul, who was in prison for his faith, was truly excited about. The answer was Jesus! Jesus was beginning then, after His return to heaven, after His death and resurrection, to bring the whole world together in and through His love. And Ephesus, in the beginning, got it. They shared generously with Jerusalem.

Why? Why would they go out of their way to help a culture that traditionally hated them? Jews hated Gentiles. The only possible answer is the love of Jesus. They shared the love of Jesus. That doesn’t sound so odd to us today. Even as non-Christians today, we live in a world that has been changed by the love of Jesus. And giving to others springs from that love. Not so then. The difference, the mystery God kept saying in His word, was Jesus.

In looking back through the centuries to the first 90s until the 1990s and beyond, all the things that have benefitted and brought the world together in a positive way, came out of the love of Jesus that began back then: hospitals, schools, even government aid, all sprang from the love of Jesus. His love permeated the world and its way of thinking so much we take for granted its existence. It’s always been there for us. We give, we care because He first gave to us, He first cared for us. But back then, it truly was weird. It truly was a mystery that a group of Gentiles in Ephesus would reach out to and love a group of Jews in Jerusalem. How? Why would they do that? The love of Jesus. Their First Love. The love that Jesus in Revelation 40 years later was exhorting them to return to or He would remove their lampstand.

Just a thought from my side of the question. Is there a lampstand today in Ephesus? In Turkey? Is there even still an Ephesus?

Hmmm…?

These are all expressions of our struggle to cope with or adapt to the challenges of living in a fallen world, and it all seems like a pretty reasonable reaction, doesn’t it? After all, whether we want to admit it or not (come on just ‘fess up) everyone has at one time or another been afraid of the dark or been overwhelmed by it. But what is it about the dark that makes it so frightening? (Is 8.21-22)

For one thing, the dark is confusing. When you cannot see anything or anyone there is a feeling of isolation, being alone, and disorientation. Finding our way proves to be difficult, because we can’t see the path we are walking. We might actually be fairly safe, but imagination runs wild, and we see the possibilities of danger that could surround us. We might even try to run (without seeing where we are going) when in reality there is no one chasing us. (Prov 28.1)

Every one of us has lived in the darkness at one point in our lives. We were unable to see or to believe in God or discern the truth. Unable to see the right path, we have all probably done things that we’d not want to admit. But as unpleasant as it is, most people choose to stay in the dark. They (we) think that it hides the things we don’t want others to see. (Jn 3.19)

The people walking in darkness don’t know that there is a path. But it doesn’t have to be that way. (Jn 8.12)

Those of us who have been chosen by Jesus to be His disciples know all of this, but sometimes we forget. We forget that no matter how overwhelming the darkness seems to become, it can be destroyed by one spark of light. When one light shines, the darkness is not complete. Pastor and author Henry Blackaby once wrote that, “If the darkness around you seems to be getting darker and darker, it is not the fault of the darkness. The darkness is just being itself.” The implication of course is that it only seems to be darker because there isn’t yet enough light. Jesus said that we are the light of the world, but we are not called to destroy the darkness, only to shine one light wherever we can so that others will see the hope shining through the despair, the joy that overcomes fear, the understanding that discerns the truth, and the path that is revealed by it. (1Thes 5.5)

This should be a huge encouragement to us all, that He doesn’t expect us to do it all. That is His job. We only need to shine one little spark in our corner of the darkness. One act of kindness is all it takes. Every week when I arrive at GPBC I am greeted by Stan Doud in the parking lot as he escorts Nancy and I to the door, which he holds open for us in welcome. An act of kindness. One spark that immediately reminds me that the darkness cannot win. What friend or acquaintance or stranger can you find to bless today? (Eph 5.8)

I found myself flipping through the pages of my Bible the other day. Notes and pictures revealed themselves across the 66 books. Not too many though; four to be exact. One in Zechariah, one at the start of 1 Peter; the third peeking out of the notes and index section in the back and the best, the fourth note, just fluttered out onto the ground.

My teen niece visits once in a while and joins us for our Sunday worship service sitting with and saying, “Hello” to her faith family. The Zechariah note is her picture doodle capturing all that was on her mind and heart a few years ago. She definitely understood the need for a world’s sin to be covered by the rescuing savior’s blood. It’s there just off the strawberry and other teen musings.   A blue torn page, the second sheet, made me laugh. How did a raggedy slip of a quarter sheet, an old church bulletin, with Psalm 23 printed on it, end up stuffed between James and 1 Peter? The top of the page is intact: “Order of Worship, Prelude, Welcome. “Call to Worship: ‘The Lord is my Shephard; I shall not want” and all the rest survives. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” A tattered horizontal line shears through the paper, leaving the top half of the word, “Invocation”.

The third is a sheet of my notes, a fill-in-the-blank form used to follow a sermon. “Joyful are those whose wills are surrendered to God, for they will inherit the earth”. That’s the top note. A half sheet is full of my own jots and thoughts. “It’s a joyful place to occupy as we participate in what God is doing”. “Embrace being an image bearer. Embrace citizenship in Jesus’ Kingdom”. These are good notes to tuck away. Truths that hit the mark and stir the soul, and have made the cut. I understand why I tucked these into the pages that guide my life. My niece is dear and often in prayers as she navigates young adulthood. Men and women of service proclaimed and encouraged one another with the heart of Psalm 23. “He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake”.

I reach to scoop up the one page that fell away. It was a US Army Garrison prayer card. Hmmmm. The prayer reads:

Come let God fill our hearts to ready us anew!
Ready us to love Him.
To be ready to love others, to be ready to live lives that “show Him out.”
Show him out:
In our world
On our streets and in our city…
(Deut. 6:4-17)

Amen.

• Psalms 31:15: “My times are in your hands.”
• Psalms 90:12: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
• 2 Peter 3:8: “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends; With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day.”

God may be outside the confines of time, but He is in control of every second of our lives. Even if we are uncertain and filled with anxiety about the future, God is not!! He knows everything, and we can put our hope in Him completely.

I will close these thoughts with Psalms 139. If you haven’t read it lately, please take a minute to see how intimately God cares about each one of us. He knows us! From before we were born to the moment that our eyes will close in death. He is with us. He loves us with an everlasting love. Psalm 139:16-17 says, “And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!”

God is in control of our time no matter what our age is. Put your trust and your hope in the Lord! He is worthy of all our praise!

The first week of January, I marked the start of my seventh straight year fighting depression. There was no New Year’s party. No vows. No resolutions. I made no plans but one: I decided to take a hike in the midwinter gloom around one of my favorite spots: Oxbow Regional Park.

I had the place to myself, of course. There aren’t many who find hiking in the woods on a dark, cold, and wet morning particularly life-giving. There were times I wondered to myself why I was out there listening to the chill wind roar in the trees and the swollen, muddy Sandy River snarl and gurgle at me. I wondered why I wanted to be more alone. But, there’s something indiscernibly healing in seeking God in a storm.

After wandering the well-worn trails for a while, I decided to do a little bushwhacking. I found a spot way off trail along a thickly wooded anabranch that had long ago dried up. I set up my tarp against a fallen log. I hunkered down in my makeshift shelter, listening to the rain, pensively minding my own business, sipping coffee, nibbling snacks, and letting the bitterness soak through my clothing.

Suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. Inscrutable panic and melancholy threatened to swallow me up again. My warm mug nearly slipped from my hands as a shadow, damp and vaguely menacing, pushed the ferns aside to my left. It froze, invisible to everyone in the world but me.

I breathed again when I saw that a young buck had snuck up on me. For ages and ages, we locked eyes, and I could tell he was trying to work something out in his mind. What that was, I have no idea. It felt like we were struggling to understand one another in that moment but we lacked the language, separated by alien key signatures and a lifetime of unique sadnesses, perhaps. So, we stared, waiting for the other to move along.

The deer eventually had better things to do. Finally moving, he musically snorted (and I tried to respond in my own flat harmony). With one final glance over his shoulder, he stepped away, disappearing into the underbrush.

I smiled.

An hour later, my toes were cramping. It was time to keep moving. I packed up my little campsite and pushed my way back to the path. I wandered on trails that I had for decades traveled until my feet brought me back to the car.

As I meandered, the Lord revealed no new thing about my enduringly overcast mood. No prophecy. No command. Yet, one more time, He did let me know that He was with me, quietly, compassionately staring into my wilderness soul. He reminded me that He was still with me in that midwinter rainstorm. Still, He, Elohim, can put a smile on my face. He reminded me that there also was with me a great multitude of brothers and sisters—blindly bumping into each other, perhaps—and, together, we make hopeful music in the house of God.

The journal entry is shared below by permission of the family of David C. Sahlin, Tacoma, Washington.

    It was the last summer of the last world war. At home we were praying urgently for my two brothers in France. One of them was in battle. Word from him was ominously overdue. To find relaxation, particularly for our anxious parents, we went to the mountain — that peak which Indians for generations have referenced as “The Mountain That Was God.”

    At the Camp of the Clouds, near the summer snowline, I was persuaded to join some friends climbing one of the trails, while my parents lingered on gentler slopes overlooking Paradise Valley. Our trail led upward over snowfields interspersed with extensive areas of rocks and stone. When we had stopped for rest, I sauntered in among the rocks for a considerable distance away from the beaten path to find the solitude my soul was yearning for. God was intimately near to me there, as I sat on a boulder and meditated. I remembered that Jesus, too, had communed with the Father alone on a mountain!

    Lying on top another rock within easy reach was a smaller stone. Quite involuntarily, my hand lifted the stone and underneath I found a shriveled, weather-stained card. It had dried out again in the summer heat, after soaking in the thaws of spring as each winter’s blanket of snow, thirty feet deep, or more, had melted away. Yet I could read on it, in his own handwriting, my brother’s name and address and a date indicating that he had placed it there two years before. I had not known of his visit to the mountain, nor was it by mere chance that I had come to the one rock of significance to me in all the vastness of millions of stones! I hurried back to show my friends and parents what God had led me to find. The card was sent with a letter to my brother in France, and in due time came his reply telling that he had just emerged, entirely unharmed, from a battle which a majority of his company did not survive.

    The home-coming of the boys was a mountain-top event. It had been assured to us that day when God and I communed among the boulders far below the summit!

Sharing this entry seemed appropriate with Memorial Day upon us; a time when we reflect on, thank and honor the members of America’s military services. 

And, let us remember to not neglect to thank God for He is good, all the time. After all, you just never know what God will lead you to find! It is my hope that you, too, will experience a mountain top event in your life. And when you do, write it down! 

But the hardest thing about Mother’s Day for me over the years has been wondering whether I would ever have biological children of my own. I can now look back on those years with gratitude because the Lord used my singleness and childlessness to teach me the importance of spiritual reproduction.

Not to diminish in anyway biological motherhood, but there are treasures to be mined in the realm of spiritual motherhood, as well. While God allows some women to be biological mothers and some not, He invites every woman to be a spiritual mother- to participate in the spiritual formation of others. Another word for “spiritual formation” would be “discipleship”. ]]> https://www.pdxchurch.org/gpbc-blog/a-global-partners-perspective-on-us/ https://www.pdxchurch.org/gpbc-blog/a-global-partners-perspective-on-us/ Fri, 26 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000 I am so thankful to be representing the global partners in this week's newsletter. As I reflect on our community's unique and wondrous quality of generosity, I am astounded by how deeply it is rooted in love and care. From the conception... Kimberly Brune I am so thankful to be representing the global partners in this week's newsletter.

As I reflect on our community's unique and wondrous quality of generosity, I am astounded by how deeply it is rooted in love and care.

From the conception of our faith community, global missions have been a valued and treasured way we have participated in God’s mission in this world. Through different seasons of our community, many highs and lows, we have been faithful to this calling. Each of our many mission directors have cultivated this legacy the Father has put in our hands in their own unique ways with their distinct gifts, which have richly blessed us.

We have also had values that have been continuous; care, pastoral concern, vision/rest for those we have supported. This goes well beyond the important task of financial giving and has become a legacy of something much deeper and more profound.

We see the brothers, sisters, and children we send as members of our family, and we stand behind them in every way we are able.

It is unique how our community loves our global partners. You may have heard me say this on several occasions, but care, concern, and connection are unfortunately not qualities most missionaries experience from their home communities or sending communities. For most missionaries, interacting with their sending communities is a stressful interaction marked by their need to perform, get enough “saves”, or have the quantitative and qualitative data to confirm to the church that their investment is being utilized with maximum returns. In a shocking extreme of this, the mom of a family we were extremely close to in South Africa was diagnosed with breast cancer. A family of four, with two small children, you can imagine the extreme stress and anxiety this family was facing. Upon communicating this to their church community, they were told they needed to “drop them” as missionaries because they would “no longer be effective on the field." That family could not go home as her treatment had already started in Cape Town.

This extreme example is a flashlight to the overwhelming opposite spirit of how Greater Portland Bible Church functions.

Several years ago I found myself in compassion fatigue, frustrated with myself for not being able to metabolize the pain and suffering we were surrounded by and unable to be present to those I sought to serve. Oliver and I came to the Global Partner Ministry Team looking for feedback and wisdom. I was looking for help “getting back to work.”

Instead of the strategies I was looking for, the missions board responded with compassion, care and wisdom to encourage me to take time and rest as a direct act of rebellion against the lie of productivity as our personal value.

Thus is a prime account of what makes our legacy unlike anything I have ever experienced as a missionary, nor any missionary I have ever met along the way.

I am sure by the time this is sent out we will have heard many remarkable stories of how our global partners have worked with God to create His goodness, beauty, and make truth come alive around the world.

So I will speak to you as one of your global partners and say thank you. Thank you for being a place of safety, of connection, and a community of peace.

You are so very loved and appreciated.

May God’s blessing be upon you.

– Acts 13:47 (ESV)

Is God’s command above only for those who serve in the mission field or are all of us called to spread salvation locally and globally?

Here in Portland, it feels as though the world has come to us and I confess I always felt a little trepidation when trying to connect with people from other cultures. The differences that separate us can create barriers that seem impossible, at times, to overcome.

It’s easy to see how GPBC supports our Global Partners—encouraging, serving, praying, and financially supporting them; but have you thought about how the Global Partners support us? I had the opportunity to serve alongside several of our Global Partners both abroad and here at home. Those experiences empower me to reach out to our neighbors and build relationships with them.

My first short-term mission trip was to Spain to serve at the Friendship House. Our Global Partners, Dan and Eva, showed me the importance of presence and building trust to grow connections to other cultures. I served in Spain alongside Dan and Eva three times. I witnessed how the time they invested to overcome barriers now allows them to freely share the gospel and their faith in Jesus with the families in their community.

The good work I saw in Spain inspired me and other GPBC friends to start a Homework Club for neighborhood families during COVID, when school were shut down. Many of those neighborhood families are Muslim. We began visiting families weekly to bring them small gifts. I loved this time of building connections! Later, once we established a relationship, we invited the families to participate in Homework Club at our church. I firmly believe that the invitation was only accepted because we took the time to build trust and respect in their community.

Still, I was hesitant to share the gospel with our Muslim neighbors. Most of that hesitancy came from a place of fear. Fear of offending the people I wanted to reach, fear that if I said or did the wrong thing then they would close their hearts to Jesus even more. I often prayed for these families and asked God for wisdom. During this time, another of our Global Partners invited me to participate in a workshop on how to reach our Muslim neighbors. I enthusiastically accepted! This was a direct answer to my prayers. The workshop taught me how to connect to Muslims and how to build bridges between Christians and Muslims. Our Global Partners used their experiences and faith to equip and encourage me, so I felt empowered to share my faith!

Since then, God used that training to open conversations with our Muslim neighbors about prayer, who Jesus is, the Bible, and my faith. I am so thankful God brought these families into my life. They are my friends, and I love them dearly. We laugh together, cry together, and celebrate life together! I continue to pray for the day they will open their hearts to Jesus!

None of this would have happened without the partnership between our church and our Global Partners. We are on mission together, encouraging and equipping one another to bring salvation to the ends of the earth!

Please join us at our Global Partner Emphasis on April 14 and 21 as we celebrate how God is moving through the partnership between our faith community and our Global Partners. I pray you too will be inspired by the amazing individuals we call Global Partners!

Good Friday is upon us. A day of remembrance of why Jesus ultimately came down to earth. Who can truly fathom what it cost Him? Who can truly fathom the depth of love it took for the Father to send His only Son to die so we can be reconciled to Him? He gave Jesus to be crushed so we could live with Him forever. I know sometimes I don’t live in the conscious reality of the mercy, grace, and love that has been bestowed upon me.

I recently read a book that catapulted me into imagining Jesus’ death more personally than ever before. It was from the perspective of the penitent thief on the cross. He talked about being right there next to Jesus on the cross as he watched Jesus suffer in agony. It was Jesus’ blood that shook him to his core. He knew he and the other thief had done wrong and deserved to die, but Jesus did not, He was totally innocent. He listened to Jesus; he watched Jesus. As he watched Jesus’ blood flow, the thief realized it was flowing because of all the wrong that he had done. God Himself was paying the thief’s debt so he could be forgiven. Jesus, God, paid it all.

When Jesus cried out, “Why have you forsaken me?” the thief knew that it was because when the Father looked down, He was seeing him, his own (and our) guilt, and Jesus was being crushed, deserted, and left all alone because of it. It was Jesus being forsaken to carry the burden of the thief’s sins—of all our sins. Luke 23:42 tells us that the penitent thief asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. In the book, the thief then tells that he awoke in Paradise to be with Jesus forever, just as Jesus had promised.

I would like to invite you to envision yourself hanging on your own cross next to Jesus. You are there because of your own sins, and there is nothing you can do to save yourself. You are imperfect, sinful. Now look and see Jesus right there next to you. He is perfect, without sin. His blood you see is being poured out for you. He is rescuing you. He is willingly sacrificing Himself so that you can be with Him forever. Take in that truth. Take in that love. Yes, He gave. Have you received?

When I partake in communion each week, I look at the bread and I think of Jesus’ body, tortured, given for me. And when I look at the juice, it symbolizes His blood that was shed for me. He did it for me. It’s very personal. He did it for you. It’s very personal. You are valued, loved, and wanted. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are redeemed, a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Living out that love of God looks different for each one of us. We are each called to be a light to the world and to live out our faith. God has gifted each of us with certain talents, passions, and abilities. If we truly do live in His love, His redemption, we will shine for Him.

Stephen Ministry here at GPBC is a ministry of love and compassion. We are Jesus to those who are going through a difficult time. If you have been given the gift of presence, of listening, of caring, please consider being part of the next Stephen Ministry training beginning in January 2025. We need more committed people to help serve the hurting in our community.

Sunday is coming!!

…and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
and there will no longer be any death;
there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain;
the first things have passed away.

Revelation 21:4 NASB

I am so looking forward to this day! In the meantime, all of you, my faith family, have been instrumental these past few months. Thank you for blanketing us in prayer; providing meals so there was one less thing to worry about; and sending flowers, plants, and cards. It helped me give myself permission to just be in the grief, the grace to focus on our family, and the reminder of God’s promises like the verse above.
 
As I move through this season of Lent, I do see God refocusing and repositioning my heart. He continues to restore me through a renewed dependency on Him. I embrace this season’s discomfort and realize it can lead us to find lasting comfort in Him. He is providing me opportunities to be there for others and allowing me to pour into them from the abundance that He provides. I encourage you, as we approach the end of Lent, to hold fast to your commitments and lean into your dependency on our Savior.

James

When my husband, Lloyd, died in 1988, I was still in my 30s. Many told me I’d marry again. I was young, God would bring someone into my life. But as I watched my 3-year-old son climb the growth chart on the wall and move into his turbulent teens, I began to think, maybe not. But I was okay with that. 

And then Paul came into my life. We met, we courted, and we got married all in the space of nine months. I had been a widow for twenty years; he had been divorced, and between the two of us we had three grown children. 

In the traditional wedding vow, there is the promise to love for better or for worse. We had about two years before we began to drift from better to worse.

First, we were both laid off from our jobs almost at the same time. Paul was able to opt for early retirement, and I got a part-time job in a day care, so we limped along for a while. 

Then Paul decided since he had once been a pastor, perhaps he could find a small church that would take us on, and we could supplement our income in that way. Over the next two years Paul applied to hundreds of churches across the country. 

While he sent out applications, I prayed, not so much for a church somewhere to hire us, but for the strength to push aside my Oregon pride (I’m a sixth generation Oregonian) and my fear of change so that I could even accept the idea of leaving my home.

Then God reminded me of the story of Ruth and how she chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, even though it meant not being with her family in her homeland. I finally was able to pray, “Okay, Lord, I will go where you lead. I love Paul, and I will follow him.” 

Finally, we got a call from a small church in Tampico, Illinois. They were interested in us, and in the spring of 2013, we sold our home and moved to Illinois. We were both excited and couldn’t wait to see how God was going to use us there. 

But the hard times weren’t over. In October they let us go. The church said they couldn’t afford to keep us on. That left us literally homeless. 

We found a small 600 square foot rental house, and we moved in just before Thanksgiving. Then we were able to find a church 20 miles away that was willing to hire us. And finally, by the grace of God, we were able to move into a home of our own.

But then Paul’s health began to decline. Diabetes issues led to foot surgeries, one involving the removal of one of his toes. Then because of too many stairs, we had to say good-bye to our new church home. In fact, we had to move out of our house for the same reason.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t just the two surgeries that he was dealing with. Balance issues resulted in a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, and it was aggressive. He went from a cane to a walker, to a wheelchair, to a lift in less than a year.

It was daunting. Truly for better or worse. But two things kept us going. Our faith in God, and our love for each other. 

Our circumstances never got better, they steadily declined going from hospital stays, to in-home healthcare, to dialysis, to long-term care, to hospice. From May to October 2021, it was a slow trip home for Paul and me. Paul went home to be with the Lord on October 30, 2021; and six months later, I came home to Oregon. 

Somewhere in there, God gently opened my eyes to some things He had been doing through it all. As our love and steadfastness grew in the purifying fires of those eight years in Illinois, God used our lives to touch multiple lives there. 

But the one thing that really touched my heart and allowed me to realize it had all been worth the bumpy ride was what happened with Paul’s family. Because of his divorce, Paul was estranged from his two children. While we were there in Illinois, because both were so close, Paul was able to be reconciled to them. But even better, he was able to give his daughter away in marriage, and he was able to meet and enjoy his eight grandchildren. Two of his son’s six children were born while we were there; and his daughter had two girls before Paul died. God seemed to tell me, “I didn’t send you there to pastor a church, I sent you there to heal a family and allow both of you to enjoy your eight grandchildren.” 

Love isn’t always easy. Marriage was never meant to be a revolving door where you move on when the magic is gone. The real magic comes when you both hang on to God and each other as the trials come. Perseverance brings peace and a deep abiding joy that can’t be extinguished. 

One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 45:3 “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” It is usually in the darkest places that we see God’s special light shining the brightest and we grow the most.

Be much in prayer.
 
See you Sunday,

Wayne

Baggage doesn’t sound good, though, if it’s referring to something I’m bringing from my past that is harmful into the present. Even when my baggage is good (“from childhood you have known the scriptures…” 2 Tim 3:15-17), I need to be sure that it doesn’t separate me from others but allow God to pull it out and use it at His will.

Knowing, as I do now, that God is for us, not against us (Rom 8:31), and that everything goes through His hands (“having been predestined according to His purpose…” Eph 1:11), how do I reconcile some of the things that happened in my past with the truth that God is good?

One such instance in my life is when I went to jail for a month and then when I got out I met Jan (my wife). I wouldn’t have met her had I not been detained for that month! That one had results I could see immediately, but what about the beatings I received as a kid that made me an anger driven man? What about the things that happened in Viet Nam that made me hate authority? Where was God in those times? Where was the “work all things together for good…”? I’m not going to say that God planned for those things to happen, but He DID know that he had given man free will, and He DID know that sometimes they were going to use that free will to do evil things – AND He knew just how He was going to use them in my life!

To get back to the baggage idea...God, in a sense, placed those items in my ‘baggage’ so that I would have them when I needed them. I didn’t know God then, but He knew me and had a plan for my life. Currently, I help with workshops where my past, and God’s redemption of it, help people to see that God can do the same thing for them. I now see truth and even some of the “why?” for my past. I can agree with Jeremiah quoting God saying, “The Lord appeared of old to me saying 'I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you.'” (Jer 31:3) That ‘everlasting love’ didn’t look like love to me then, but I can see how the fruit of it today totally outweighs the suffering of not only what happened to me but the regrets for the things I have done! (Rom 8:18)

God’s loving-kindness has been behind this whole journey of mine; He pointed out what I’d need, even some that I had forgotten, and He brought healing to the areas of pain to make them usable in His hands. He didn’t forget anything that I would need and didn’t put anything in my bags that He wouldn’t use. I guess that a bottom line is to check all my bags for this trip--no carry-ons (“take nothing for your journey” Mk 6:8)! I don’t need, and it isn’t appropriate for me, to be carrying a suitcase of hurts all the time. Jesus, and His healing, is sufficient! I need to be fully engaged in the present and, in a sense, allow Holy Spirit to be my valet, to hand me the items I need when I need them. (Mk 13:11) That is walking in freedom!

Silence is slowly being shuffled into my life, and I wonder if you feel the same draw towards it these days. There’s a whole lot of loud out there - constant access to information, opinion and entertainment. I was getting gas a while ago and found that there was even a screen on the gas pump showing me ads, so I didn’t have to just stand there with nothing to do for the three minutes my gas was pumping. In the check-out line at the grocery store you can take out your phone or look at all the covers on the magazines. (Has anyone else chuckled at the random ones that always show up at Fred Meyer - like the magazine dedicated to chickens or the one wholly about firewood?) We have very little time where we are forced to just be quiet or still.

I’ve been doing a coaching program through Western Seminary and am learning a lot about how to deeply listen to people and how to create space to evoke awareness. One of the (kind of awkward) tools I’ve slowly grown accustomed to utilizing is silence. Letting silence settle for a bit after someone has shared something gives them some space to think and share more. The instructors use the acronym WAIT: Why Am I Talking? This helps us check ourselves to make sure that what we might say in a coaching session is really necessary and beneficial for the other person and not just to fill space or fill our own need.

I can’t help but connect this to my life with God. Do I like to fill space with books, learning, podcasts, prayers, music, etc? You bet! But how much of that is because I’m not so sure I want to tap into what’s simmering deep in my heart? What if I become aware of God’s presence and voice and it makes me uncomfortable or even worse - what if I’m hungry for His presence and voice and I don’t sense or hear it? It’s easier to just keep filling space with good things. But even good things can become noisy. 

In 2020, the World Health Organization listed noise pollution as the largest environmental cause of health problems after air pollution (European Environment Agency, March 2020). Strahan Coleman in his book, Beholding, considers, “Imagine a world where church communities could become harbors for noise refugees: people exhausted and burnt out not only by the noise pollution of our world but also by the social and political noise…” Interesting thought, right? Where do we start?

I’ve slowly, slowly been adding little bits of silence into my life over the last few years: keeping the car quiet for a few minutes after I drop off a kid, simply standing in line at the grocery store - looking at the people around me who make up my neighborhood, staring out the window at the giant redwood across the street for a few minutes, turning off the background noise at home (ok maybe that football game just gets muted). As I let silence punctuate my day, I notice that I become more aware of God with me - with us - and anxiety’s voice gets a little dimmer too. How do you punctuate your days with silence? What effect does it have in your life?

May we find a bit of silence and offer it to others in 2024.

As I was reading through some Psalms, spending time in prayer, and taking in all that God has created, I found myself staring at the chickens. The Holy Spirit reminded me in that moment of Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

It was a verse I needed in that moment, to remember that God cared for me and valued me. The same is for you as well. Advent is a consistent reminder of that. We remember that God loved us so much, valued us so much, “…that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

GPBC, you matter so much to God. My prayer for us is that we would remember that truth and also to make God matter in our lives just as much as we matter to Him. Advent calls our attention back to the greatest gift the world has been given, the Savior of the world. Let’s center our hearts around this wonderful gift that we have been given, a relationship with our Lord Jesus, and let our hearts live worshipfully in that light.

This time around I would like to share about what GPBC and the Lord have taught me in my Christian faith. I think what is at the center of GPBC is a strong Christian family. The first day I attended Sunday service at GPBC, I felt a familiar feeling of warmth, laughter, and love--much like a family. Like a family, GPBC has helped me deal with the various ups and downs of life through the past few years by gaining understanding of both life’s adversities and achievements and eventually finding acceptance and humility. This is what I think is GPBC’s real strength. For me, the church and the community have been like a keystone--providing me with clarity and guidance through the storms and tranquility of life’s seas. 

And when I think of what I have learned from the Lord, this also seems to be one of the important points. I see it not only in church but also here in Portland. I’ve lived in Portland for about twelve years now, and I have come to make good friends with people from various backgrounds and beliefs, with some similarities and some differences to my own. But one thing I have found common among us is the idea and appreciation for an understanding and loving family. It reminds me of the verse, “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 23:40), which, I know, is usually interpreted as helping the homeless, but I think it also means having a spirit which is charitable. Not just charity of money, but charity of heart, mind, or time, or being forgiving, following in the way of Jesus. No small task indeed, but one we are called to do. And if I’m honest with myself, this kind of family that Jesus is speaking of is one I never had, but one that I cherish and am so thankful to the Lord for in GPBC.

To finish up, allow me to share an observation about the life of Jesus. One of the things he lived and taught was giving kindness and love. In fact, I think it was something he thought was very important. And, you know, things like being rich, what kind of car you drive, or the number of followers on your social media page would probably be less important to him. So, if we try to live a life believing the things that Jesus thought were important, we would live a very meaningful life--one with spiritual, eternal rewards. I know it’s not easy, but I have seen the impact this kind of living has on oneself. And what’s cool is how it affects other people. In these times we live in, when people see someone that believes the things Jesus thought were important, and lives them, it helps everyone. Because it is the fruit of the Spirit…in all of us.

God bless you all.

Paulette and I are truly grateful for the pastoral appreciation that was expressed last Sunday for Greg, Joyce, and myself. The kind words and the generous gifts were humbling. But most meaningful for us were the comments in the thank you cards we received. So many spoke of the spiritual growth they have experienced under the ministry of the Word and the shepherding. In their own words, people were saying that transformation had happened in their lives. That is a wonderful thing, and it warms my heart more than I can tell you.

But as good as that is, it’s not enough. We want more and more of that. It is for that reason that Pastor Greg and the staff and the elders will be leading our church in a shift to a more intentional and strategic discipleship structure. Twelve of us will be traveling to Idaho next week to learn from a church that is doing an excellent job of making disciples who are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. This shift will not be sudden or dramatic. Rather, I expect to see a gradual but deliberate reorientation of our leadership, our ministries, and our church culture until personal transformation into Christ-likeness is the norm for everyone in our church family.

And how about you? How have you been transformed since Jesus came into your life? Do you see more of his character in you now than when you first trusted him? Some men I met with this week asked the same question in a different way and so I ask you, "What would your life be like today if Jesus had not brought you to himself?"

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“Mark and I had been married 26 years. Our sons were 18 and 20. We loved being parents, but with our younger son graduating high school, we were eagerly anticipating the empty nest and having more time for each other.

In the fall, when our younger son started college, Mark began having stomach issues and back pain, which would linger for a few days and then disappear, only to reappear later. He also developed a cough. When his doctor ordered an MRI, the results were devastating—Stage IV pancreatic cancer, already in his liver and both lungs. Mark was only 53.

Our lives were turned upside down. I suddenly found myself trying to provide emotional support to Mark and our sons during the worst experience any of us had ever endured. I wanted and needed to keep myself together to focus on caring for Mark, but I was emotionally drained—full of sadness and terrified of what the future held. I had always been a ‘take responsibility for everything myself‘ kind of person. However, I knew I couldn’t do this alone.

I talked to my pastor about it, and she suggested matching me with a Stephen Minister. I agreed, and less than two weeks after Mark was diagnosed, my Stephen Minister came for the first of her weekly visits.

It’s difficult to convey how important this Stephen Ministry relationship was for me. Our pastor was wonderful, and we had an amazing amount of support from many other people, but the time I spent with my Stephen Minister was the only time in the week when I could truly focus on my own needs. She was there just for me.

My Stephen Minister let me know that, while she was very concerned for Mark, her role was to be my support—to listen and help me process what I was feeling and going through, without giving advice or telling me what to do. The consistency of our Stephen Ministry relationship was crucial in helping me cope. Her weekly visits became an anchor in my life—something I could rely on when everything else was so uncertain. She was a steady reminder of God’s presence, helping me know I was never alone. 

Although Mark and I chose to talk publicly about his condition, my Stephen Ministry relationship was completely confidential. I knew I could share anything with her, and that’s where it would stay.

Mark’s illness progressed rapidly—ten weeks of treatment, followed by six weeks of hospice, and then his passing. My needs changed as I went from being a wife to being a caregiver to being a grieving widow and dealing with everything that the loss of a spouse entails. Through it all, my Stephen Minister’s love and support continued. She was there for me at every stage of my journey. It was never easy, but my Stephen Minister helped me through the most difficult moments of my life.

I really can’t say enough about how much I appreciate my church’s Stephen Ministry. The compassionate, consistent, and confidential support of my Stephen Minister was so important in helping me cope—and then begin to heal.”

© 2017 Stephen Ministries St. Louis. All rights reserved.

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Stephen Ministers provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people experiencing grief, divorce, major illness, loneliness, personal losses, financial stress, and other life difficulties.

To learn more about Stephen Ministry at GPBC, contact my wife Mary or myself at smmuirhm@hotmail.com or Mitch Lea at mitch.lea27@gmail.com, talk with a pastor, contact the church office or email us at stephenministry@pdxchurch.org.

And He has a plan for you and for me and each of us, imperfect as we are. God can even use us!!  

I was thinking about trees losing their leaves in the context of someone who didn’t know that trees did that. "Is the tree dying? Why did all that fall off? Will it be able to survive without all those leaves?" In actuality the trees losing their leaves is a system for survival. As the ground freezes, it acts as a barrier for surface water getting to the root system. By shedding their leaves, trees spend less energy in the winter, conserve moisture within the trunk keeping it from drying out, and allow winter storm winds to blow through the branches putting less strain on the tree, making it less likely it will be ripped from the ground. But for someone who didn’t know that, the trees losing their leaves could be seen as a serious problem. 

So why all this tree talk? Well it's similar to the way that we go through seasons in our life. The very famous verses out of Ecclesiastes (3:1-8) tells us that there are times for just about everything to happen to us in our lives. And sometimes what's happening can seem very destructive, as with the trees losing their leaves. Without having a complete picture, we think about our current circumstances wondering what the heck is going on. Why did I lose that job? Why did that person get sick? Why didn’t these plans work out? Why, why, why? Often times these happen because of the very nature of the world we live in. Or it could be God stepping in to put us through a crucible where we’ll come out of the other side more refined. Either way there are various promises in scriptures that are meant to help get us through times that we don’t necessarily understand.  

In the book of Romans, Paul writes to the Roman church, introduces himself and lays out what becomes one of the most important explanations of Christian doctrine. In chapter 8 verses 18- 39, Paul explains we will have suffering in this life but will have glory in the next. In the middle of this block of text you come upon one of the most, if not the most, used verse to comfort people in what seem like terrible seasons: Romans 8:28..."And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." The Greek word that’s used here for good is “ag-ath-os” which can be translated as “intrinsically good, good in nature, good whether it be seen to be so or not."

The bottom line is God uses seasons that are a struggle for us for good whether we understand why those things are happening or not. And in the end, do we need to understand it for the Creator of the universe to be on the throne and orchestrating the cosmos for our good? Nope.  

So whether or not you’re in a frustrating season or things are going really well, when the trees start to lose their leaves this year, remember to thank God that He is there for you even though you don’t understand the circumstances you’re currently in. Continue to walk on knowing that God is doing something good for you whether you understand it or not.

Last June my dad died. We were not in touch much of my adult years. When he died, It hurt. I was thinking of what we could have enjoyed together. He refused connection with me due to his schizophrenia, which was diagnosed towards the end of his life. I hadn’t spoken to him in many years. Everything I knew about his rapidly declining health was through my aunt who he allowed in.
 
As I was grieving about his passing, I still am in many ways, I remembered times at the park with him when I was a little girl and he was in better health. Sweet memories that eventually brought me back to this, “Rejoice always, pray continually.” My thoughts moved on to Jesus. I’m so thankful that I’m walking with Him. The peace He gives me, and the confidence to rely on Him in all circumstances is so powerful to me now. God sure does know how to heal a grieving heart. I think for me, I need to let Him heal mine.
 
The Resilient Families support group has really helped me process my feelings.

We are a group of individuals who have loved ones with Mental Health Challenges. I couldn’t have a relationship with my father, but I can have one with my mother and daughter who also experience mental health struggles. I didn’t know how to push for a connection with my dad until now that it’s too late. This group has showed me ways to embrace my families challenges and find the joy in the moments I have with them. Also, it has taught me I can have these relationships and care for myself at the same time. Self care is so important when you are caring for others.
 
If you are caring for someone with mental health issues, we are here for you.

Over the next year or so, I went on some very challenging rides. These rides were on Backcountry Discovery Routes. Most of the routes were totally off road with just a little pavement connecting you to other precarious routes. At times I was riding on narrow, rocky trails, no wider than 30 inches with a steep cliff on one side and a dangerous drop on the other. Other times we went through soft, fluffy sand or dirt, snow, deep mud, or shallow rivers with big, round, and very slick rocks on the bottom. I learned a lot about how to ride on those trips. One important lesson was to never look down or towards danger. Always look, and only look, to where you want to go.

When riding a motorcycle, the rider's body position and gaze can influence the direction of the motorcycle. This is known as the "look where you want to go" principle, and it is based on the idea that humans have an innate tendency to move towards where they are looking. This principle can be used to increase stability and control when riding a motorcycle. By looking in the direction you want to go, your body will naturally lean in that direction, which will help the motorcycle follow suit.

I have thought about this lesson frequently. It applies to us in our Christian life too. Keep your eyes focused on the direction you want to go. Most of us have heard the story in Mathew 14 where Peter steps out of the boat to walk on the water to Jesus and was fine as long as he kept his eyes on the Lord. But he starting focusing at the wind and waves and began to sink. Jesus reaches out and takes his hand and he is saved.

There are many other references in the Bible about our eyes and hearts. Psalms 16:8 says, “Keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Hebrews 12:1-2 instructs us to, “Run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” And finally, Colossians 3:1-3: “Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

I have been a Christ follower for decades and, yet, I still frequently take my eyes off Christ. Why is this lesson such a surprise and a good reminder to me? John Piper, a Bible scholar, talked about this. He said, “If you take your eyes off him, if you don’t focus on him, you become like a leaf or a dead fish, and you just float the way the river’s going. The river is not flowing toward heaven in this world. It’s flowing the other direction. So, you don’t have to work hard to go to hell; you just have to drift. Drifting is very dangerous. Very, very dangerous.”

Why and how do we take our eyes off Him? 1 Peter 3:6 tell us to, “Do what is right and do not give way to fear.”

Frequently it is fear that shifts our focus, as was the case with Peter and me on my motorcycle. But don’t forget the seven deadly sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. How can we avoid these distractions/attractions?

Consider how we are entertained. Am I distracted or even influenced by the news, social or print media? Am I attracted to things that don’t bring honor to God. We are encouraged so often to pray. Prayer doesn’t require us to sit in a particular position or close our eyes or kneel. It is simply having a conversation with our heavenly Father.

In this relationship we have with Him confess your own areas of weakness and ask for His help, guidance and strength. He already knows your weaknesses. They don’t come as a surprise to Him. He simply gives you the opportunity to humble yourself and ask.

Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you daily and give you wisdom and strength to bring honor to Him. Surround yourself with like-minded believers. It is important to be encouraged by and to learn from other Jesus followers. Encourage others to speak into your life regarding your life struggles. Allow them to know your challenges and pray with and for you. Be in church every week. Form friendships and ongoing relationships. Introduce yourself to others. Take the initiative. Join a small group. Get involved in ministry. There are endless opportunities to keep your focus on Him.

To learn how to connect someone you know with a Stephen Minister, talk with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders: Steve or Mary Muir, Mitch Lea, Paula Petersen, or Jane Lewis. Or, you can contact our church office at 503-452-9375, or email stephenministry@pdxchurch.org, and someone will contact you.

So a question I have been asking myself is, how shall I alter my life to better reflect the life of a disciple and a disciple maker? One of the things I decided to do was do a devotional journey through The Sermon on The Mount. As we have preached through the Sermon, I have personally been challenged, blessed, and motivated to go through the Sermon myself. I want to allow God to test my heart, as I study to better understand the Sermon for me personally and pursue a life of obedience and application to the sermon. I want to do this all in such a way that I can disciple others in their own journey through the Sermon so that they in turn will be equipped to take others through the sermon as they disciple them.

I presented this to our Sunday class, Come and See, and that is what we as a class have decided to do. We are going to be experimenting with some different approaches and implementing a different approach from one of mostly interactive teaching into a more discipleship type format.

One of the key goals is that we will go through the sermon in such a way that each of us will have a deep understanding of the heart of the text, practice the teaching of Jesus, and so experience a fresh touch from Him so we will be prepared to share our lives and disciple others. This will equip us to introduce a non-Christian to the King and teach and demonstrate how a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven lives for the Glory of God in a fallen world.

A few things we will learn, experience and practice: What King Jesus’ invitation to everyone means in everyday life. Also, to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because Jesus has come near to us and called us to a life that reflects His life. To live the Jesus life, which is a life different from the world of cold religion and hypocrites, into a life of love and forgiveness. This is life that demonstrates our love for God and man, even our enemies. We will learn and experience prayer, stewardship and fasting. We will be challenged to look into our hearts to allow King Jesus to transform us. He wants to free us from lust, anger, and hypocrisy. Jesus offers a life of deep intimacy with our God whom we can trust in any and every situation in life, because we know that our Loving Father knows what we need, even into the deepest part of our soul.

You are welcome to come join us in the Come and See class for this discipleship experiment or find somewhere else where you can continue your journey of discipleship wherever it might be.

If you join us, bring non-Christians with you, bring a friend, let’s journey together. Each one can travel at their own pace. Participate as deeply as you wish.

A verse we mention a lot in reference to our journey is Gal 4:19 …”until Christ is formed in you”…

God has always known that his frail human children are so forgetful. How could the Children of Israel have forgotten the plagues of Egypt? Or God parting the Red Sea so that they could cross on dry ground? Or the myriad of other miracles God performed for them. Sometimes God just has to give us reminders, like pillars of rocks, or tablets of stone with the 10 commandments, and sometimes feast days that turned into camping trips. We quickly forget all the wonderful blessings that God gives to us every day.

So why do we have the annual GPBC All Church Campout? I admit it is not quite like the Feast of Booths (although the food is usually pretty great!). And it is not just for the enormous amount of fun that we have with events, like floating the Clackamas River, Corn Hole competitions, Kid’s games, etc. Most of the campers that I have talked to say that they come camping to relax and spend time with the family of God at GPBC.

It is the interactions with our church friends that make it a wonderful experience. It is the ability to get away from our day-to-day routine. To slow down and reflect on how God has blessed us and our sisters and brothers in Christ. To get to know new families to our church, and to build stronger relationships with others. God knows that sometimes we need to be forced to slow down and reflect on His goodness. Why don’t you plan to join us at Barton Park this August 4-6? We have lots of planned activities, but also times of just relaxing at someone’s campsite. God has blessed Greater Portland Bible Church with some pretty wonderful people. Wouldn’t you like to get to know us better? Come join us!! There are still eight campsites available.

If you can’t camp for the two nights, please plan on coming just for the day on Saturday, the 5^th. You can still enjoy the fellowship and some of the activities, like the potluck dinner and worship service that immediately follows. Our own Marlon Melendez will be preaching from the Word of God. More information about the Potluck and other details will be coming soon.

If you are a novice camper or not a camper at all, we have some tents and other camping equipment available for you to use. If you have questions, contact Paul Hill at 503-318-5734 or Myrna Hill at 503-318-5386.

For some reason, this theme reminds me of the story of Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4, 9). Who? Mephibosheth was the son of David’s best friend, Jonathan, and the grandson of king Saul, who had often tried to kill David. After Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle, David became the king of Israel. In that day, it was not unusual for the new king to eliminate the entire family of the previous king along with anyone else who might hold loyalties to that former king. Fearing David might do the same thing, Mephibosheth’s nurse picked up the five-year-old and ran. In her haste, she dropped him, crippling him in both feet. She took him to a town far from Jerusalem, hiding him and teaching him to fear David.

Years later, rather than intending harm for Saul’s family, King David wondered aloud if there was anyone left of his family to whom he could show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. A man who had been a servant in the court of Saul had apparently stayed in touch with Mephibosheth and knew where he was. When he told David what he knew, David immediately sent his servants to find Mephibosheth and invite him and compel him to come to Jerusalem. When he was brought before the king, he was frightened. But rather than punish, threaten, or demean him, David restored to him all the lands that his grandfather, Saul had owned, gave him servants to work those lands, made him a member of his own household as though Mephibosheth were one of his sons, and promised to provide for him for the rest of his life.

Our king, Jesus, has commanded us his servants, to issue a similar invitation to the damaged and despised, to those who are spiritually poor and crippled and blind and lame, to all those who live far from his kingdom. Jesus is the greater David who intends no harm but only restoration and provision eternally for those who accept his invitation.

Our Global Partner Emphasis is our opportunity to honor those who have dedicated their lives to carrying that invitation to distant parts of the world, to affirm our alignment with them, and to demonstrate our support of them. Please join us in doing just that on Sunday.

This year our theme is Invitation from the King and centers upon Luke 14:23, “The master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’”

From 2009 until 2013, our family was sent by GPBC to be representatives of Jesus in Central Asia among a Muslim people group and spent the first few years being “learners.” Learners of language, learners of culture, and learners of how the gospel would best embed within the heart of the nation. Over time, one of the unique cultural aspects that stood out to me was the typical greeting. It would go something like this, “How are you?” “How is your family?” “How is your health?” “Come to my home!”

Now, similar to American culture, those initial questions were often met with simple (and not necessarily true) responses, “I’m good,” “My family is fine.” However, if you accepted the invitation to be a guest at their home…well that’s where the deeper life and conversations would happen. Inevitably, joining them at their home meant sharing a meal, which also meant increased trust, intimacy, and an opportunity for the light of Jesus to be on display.

In a similar way, the King of Kings invites us to dine with Him! Not a “once in a lifetime” meal, or even just on significant occasions. Rather, He is ALWAYS inviting us to Himself, to be with Him, know Him, and grow in our amazement of who He is! This is truly incredible if you think about it…What other “king” makes such an invitation?

As the King is constantly inviting us to Himself, so we have the joy of inviting others into our homes and lives. I so appreciate Pastor Greg’s consistent encouragement and modeling of inviting neighbors and families into our homes.

This, however, also reminds me of a heartbreaking story that I heard a few years ago about an exchange student who studied at Portland State University. This young man had arrived from the Middle East, full of energy, excited to study and to experience what life in America was like. After three full years within the city, he graduated and was taken to the airport by an Uber driver. As the student exited the car and began to walk away the driver shouted out, “Hey, you forgot to get one of your suitcases!” In reply, the young man said, “That’s alright, you can have it.” Amazed and a bit confused, the driver responded, “Well, what is it?” The young man then held back his tears and shared that it was full of gifts he had brought from his home country. He had, in fact, packed an entire bag full of gifts to give to all of the families that would be inviting him to their homes. And after three years, the bag was still full. Not a single invitation had come.

Sadly, this stands in stark contrast to the Luke passage where the Master is COMPELLING people to “come in, that my house may be filled.” And so, may we be those that both accept the invitation from the King as well as those that are inviting others to His table! I’m hungry and ready to feast on what He has prepared for us in these coming weeks and season ahead.

THEN reality started sinking in. I could feel the panic begin to knot in my stomach as I started thinking, "Now what?" The inevitable frustrations- some foreseen, some unforeseen- started to surface, threatening to cloud my initial excitement of being here. I had been seeking the Lord about next steps and believed He was leading me to set aside the month of March to acclimate to new surroundings and network for support raising purposes. I knew I had enough in savings to live on for at least March and maybe April. However, I had been in a season (stretching over several years, actually!) of insane busyness, hustling to build a thriving business. Oftentimes, I would ask the Lord to show me how to rest, because I was tired of always being tired. I don't mean tired as in "I need more sleep" tired. I mean that my soul felt tired. The demands of the business combined with my desire to be financially independent and my struggle to establish and maintain healthy boundaries made it seemingly impossible for me to rest.

So, here I was in this new city, preparing to take an entire month off work and feeling extremely unsettled about it. How could I relax, knowing that there was no income coming in? Won't my ministry partners think I'm lazy if I'm not producing fruit? I've always been a workaholic. Who am I now? As I was unpacking one day and wrestling with these questions, the Spirit gently whispered, "I'm trying to give you the rest that you asked for."

I've always wrestled with the promise of rest that Jesus made in Matthew 11:28-30. Soul rest. Isn't that something we all long for? How do we get it? I came to Jesus years ago, but I've rarely experienced this rest that Jesus promises. The key is in the second part of what the Spirit whispered to me that day, "I'm trying to give you the rest that you asked for, but you need to trust Me."

That's when He reminded me of Psalm 131. What a beautiful picture of trust the psalmist paints! A baby who can't feed itself is at an age where he/she needs to experience visceral safety to develop properly- mentally, emotionally, and physically. It's also possible for us to experience this feeling of visceral safety that allows for rest in a spiritual sense through our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

But…how does our soul experience rest in the midst of…

• Transition?
• Tragedy and loss?
• Financial concerns?
• A cancer diagnosis?
• A difficult marriage or divorce?
• Raising young or difficult children?
• A global pandemic?
• Loneliness?

We trust. We ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to anchor ourselves in the truth that the LORD is sovereign and good in all that He ordains, allows, and withholds (Psalm 84:11; 86:5; 145:9). I know this is difficult for many of you who are presently walking through very hard things. I don't claim to have all the answers, but I know beyond a doubt that He is loving and patient enough to handle your questions. During different seasons of life, I often find myself asking God, "Will you show me how You are present with me in this?" 

"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength'." Isaiah 30:15a

As you (we!) continue to learn how to trust Him enough to lean back into His everlasting arms, may you be blessed in experiencing Him as the loving Father who provides rest to His children.

Last week a few of us were privileged to attend a small conference about how to develop a culture of making disciples in our church; how to imbed disciple-making into the very DNA of our church family. You’ll be hearing more about that over the next months, years, and, hopefully, decades.

I want to pass on to you one story we heard about a young man who exemplified the priority Jesus held in his life:

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED 

Doctor Robert Morehead tells the story of a young man from Rwanda who was forced by his tribe in 1980 to renounce Christ or face death. He refused to renounce Christ, and he was murdered on the spot. The night before, he had written the following commitment, which was found in his room.

“I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintsey giving, and dwarfed goals.  

“I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.  

“My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, companions few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.  

“I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.  

“I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until he returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until he comes.  

“And when he comes to get his own, he will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for. ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.'"

Being a disciple of Jesus, following him, is no easy journey. But if he really is who the Bible says he is, then it is a journey we must take and take together, helping each other follow him as our first priority.

I’ve pondered the concept of “joy” recently since, in November, I broke a bone in my back. A crushed vertebrae caused my fairly active life to screech to a halt. A trip to Mexico was cancelled, boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations remained in storage, and I was unable to attend events and gatherings. I couldn’t do the simplest of tasks and temporarily moved in with a friend who lives in a one-story home since I couldn’t even climb a single stair. I literally did nothing for almost three months. James teaches us to consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds. I was facing a trial. Consider it pure joy? Really? JOY?

If I'm honest, I wasn’t thinking joyful thoughts during my convalescence. But then again, I wasn’t thinking about much of anything. Pain and the inability to move forced me into, what turned out to be, a season of waiting. Waiting to feel better. Waiting to heal. Waiting to not have to wear a back brace. Waiting to drive. Waiting to be independent. Waiting for my life and circumstances to return to what they were before that fateful November day. But, it turns out, God didn’t intend for me to return to being what I was. He had other plans.

While I was lying around for Three. Long. Months., I wasn’t aware of all that was going on around me. The Word teaches us that “as we walk through the valley,” God is with us. Our time spent in the valley may seem bleak and dark but, inevitably, are times of learning and growing. A valley isn't intended to be a place where we stop. A valley is a place we pass through as we travel to the mountaintop where the view is clearer. Now that I’m at a place where I can look back, I am thankful to see how my trial allowed me to experience God in unexpected and wonderful ways.  Although my situation was not an enjoyable one, God’s graciousness abounded. I’ll share two examples….

1. God allowed me to experience the power of prayer. I broke my back in Everett, Washington and knew, the minute I hit the pavement, that I was hurt. Hurt, I thought, but not broken. I needed to drive home but could barely walk. In fact, I could not stand without being physically ill. In my stubbornness, I turned down friends’ offers to pick me up and drive my car and me home. Although stubborn, I realized I needed prayer, so I called on a group of friends at GPBC. On Sunday morning at 10:30 am, I got into the car to begin what can be a 4-6 hour drive home. As soon as I buckled up, the pain stopped. I had not been without excruciating pain for any of the prior 72 hours, but I was suddenly pain free. What I didn’t know then, was that after Don Westerberg’s Sunday school class ended that morning, one of the friends I asked to pray me home asked Don and his class to pray that I would get home safely that day. God allowed me to not only get home safely, but I felt so good on the drive home that I stopped half-way, got out of the car to stretch my back and took a short walk. I thought the pain in my back had somehow worked itself out and that I was okay! But, when I pulled into my garage, the pain began again in an instant- a huge spasm brought me to my knees and I could barely make it inside the house. The following day, I was diagnosed with a crushed vertebrae. Days later, when I learned Don and the class prayed for me, I realized that my being pain-free on the drive home was a miracle. God allowed me to experience the power of prayer and He graciously drove me home when I physically couldn’t drive.
   
   
2. Next, I saw God work in an unexpected way! I was supposed to accompany a friend and her extended family on a Mexican vacation in early December, but a back brace and a bathing suit don’t make for a good match. Instead of basking on a beach in Mexico, my days were spent in bed trying to find a comfortable position. I often join my friend and her adult children on their family vacations to, as her kids jokingly say, keep my friend occupied and out of their (her kid’s) hair. I hate to brag, but it’s one job I’m quite good at! In a crazy turn of events (Praise God!), a member of my friend's family joined the group in my place. This individual had caused a family rift that had festered for over 20 years. But, because I stayed home and this individual took my place, communication within my friend’s family has begun. Walls of anger and hurt are being dissolved, misunderstandings are being righted, and the family is in the process of being restored.

I have been made aware of other unexpected things that happened in my life and other’s lives because of various circumstances surrounding my injury. Our difficult

situations, aka trials, can indeed produce good things and allow us to experience God in new ways. While I did nothing for three months, God moved mightily.

Did having a broken back bone bring me happiness? No. Did it allow me to experience joyfulness, in the biblical sense of the word? Yes! God knew what He was doing and what needed doing all along. The experience wasn’t necessarily an enjoyable one, but from my current vantage point, my heart is full of joy.

"Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds." James 1:2

• “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?” (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25)
• “Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19)
• And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15) 
• “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7) 

 It is from this ancient book that we hear the words “eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die” or “eat, drink and be merry, for life is short.” In fact, some historians attribute this saying to Epicurus who lived some 500 years after Solomon. Wonder where he got it!
 
I could not help but begin to ask myself “why eat” and “why drink.” It seems so obvious, we do so because we hunger and thirst for food and water so we can live. As we know this hunger and thirst never seems to stop, it is never satisfied. We may stop when we have eaten sufficiently at lunch, but that is short lived because dinner is just around the corner and most of us can’t wait. This draws a very clear picture for me of the hunger and thirst that we find in this world. It makes me want to ask people what they are after in life, what do they really want in life, and then why haven’t they gotten it yet. It seems to me that people are never satisfied. They seem to be toiling and laboring for more, yet frustrated, even angry, because they haven’t gotten it. The problem as I see it is they don’t understand what they are really grasping for. Everything seems so futile, which is what Solomon keeps repeating.
 
Now this “satisfaction and happiness” in life is what Solomon applied himself to discover. It was a long search whose conclusion is alluded to in the book and is stated very clearly at the end. He writes; “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). It was not until much later in life that Solomon began to discover that the answer lay with fearing God. Until we come to the realization that God is the giver of life and that He gives life as a gift, we will find life frustrating and vane. As Solomon so aptly states at the beginning of his book; “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2).
 
So, what have I learned that has made an imprint on my mind and my life? I have learned that I have no power within myself to produce, let alone replicate, the life that Jesus came to give and gives abundantly that will bring me satisfaction and happiness in life. I’ve learned that life is given as a gift by the Giver of life and that learning how to live is somehow linked tightly with my learning how to “fear Him.” This is a journey that I am on moment by moment every day.
 
So, let’s all come to the table hungry to “eat, drink and be merry” with Him who is the giver of life.
 
God Bless.

I read a book years ago called Almost Christian by Kenda Creasy Dean that made me realize something: We have been quickly losing the ability and skill of articulating our story with Jesus. How has Jesus saved us? What has Jesus saved us from? In what actual ways has Jesus set us free and changed our lives?

Sure, we may know the gist of it when we say He saved us from our sins and from death. Those are amazing truths that we should never take lightly. But as you look at your journey with Jesus, let me ask you, how has He saved you? What is your testimony?

Our testimonies are powerful tools in evangelism, and if we do not know how to share our stories to others, then we are limiting ourselves in ushering the Kingdom of Jesus in our homes, city, and world. 

Last September, we went on a staff retreat where we prayed, dreamed, and meditated about where God was leading us to in the future of GPBC.

At the retreat we opened up our Bibles to Matthew 9:9-13 when Jesus called Matthew to follow him. After calling Matthew, Jesus sat around the table with sinners and tax collectors. As a staff, we asked questions like what did we observe in the text? Who was at the table with Jesus? Who wasn’t at the table? What did Jesus say he came to do? How can we lead our church to be like Jesus in this story?

In this rich discussion, we felt God was telling us as Jesus followers to use our tables as a means of evangelism, inviting people both in and outside the church to break bread with us, and at the same time, accepting invitations to be around other tables when we are invited. 

The invitation to the table is a good start but there is more that needs to happen around the table, isn’t there? A question we wrestled with was how can we simplify mission and equip our church to be missionaries in their homes, city, and world. That is what leads us to the first half of the year for GPBC.

Our desire at GPBC is to help people follow Jesus together. How we are going to do that over the next few months is to have times of equipping each month on the Art of Telling Our Story to learn how to articulate how Jesus has saved and freed us. (The first being after church on Feburary 26.) Then how do we use our testimonies and the gospel to impact our homes, our city, and our world. 

We will also have a Night of Testimony for some to share how God is moving in their lives and to celebrate Jesus in those stories on March 1. 

To practice ourselves, each week to start staff meeting, when the new year began, a different team member has been sharing their testimony with the rest of the team. It has been amazing to hear all the different ways God has saved each one of us!

Here is my encouragement to you: Invite someone to your table. Break bread with them. Share your story and hear theirs. There is something spiritual about breaking bread around the table with others.

How many times did we see Jesus around the table? Who was Jesus around the table with? Remember the spiritual conversations He had around the table? (Check out John 13-17)

GPBC, in 2023, let our goal be to share our story of Jesus with people around our tables. Let us be a people that invites others in our homes and into the life of Jesus.

• Join a ping pong club
• Join a walking group in my neighborhood
• Learn a musical instrument
• Order something totally different on a menu instead of the normal foods I order
• Listen to a different genre of music

Hopefully in six months you can ask me what new “ruts” I am developing, and how God is meeting me in those places, or ways that I am taking a risk and stepping out of my safety boat to try something new.

Below is a Frances Chan sermon illustration that has challenged me to take some risks for God. Enjoy!

Spiritual formation is the practice of learning to trust that our God is who He says He is. Not just holding that truth in our mind alone but allowing ourselves to be reconciled and healed through Jesus Himself (Colossians 1:20). We are invited into the life of Jesus and that should change everything about us. We have the privilege of partaking in the resurrection of our Messiah, our King and then we are welcomed into learning how to live a resurrected life right now. That’s spiritual formation. 

Spiritual formation, the kind that Mary experienced, requires faith from us. Faith like this, however, is not something we can conjure if we try hard enough. Faith like this doesn’t come from our will. Faith like this starts with and is rooted in trust. Faith, like the faith described so often in the Bible, is not about willing something to be true, or wishful thinking. Faith like what is described is a soul longing question of, “Is God trustworthy?” If you can begin to venture into that question, there you will find life abundant. Mary trusted God and so she consented to the things of God. Her entire reality was shifted, her internal world and her expectations on God shifted, expanded, and ultimately were fulfilled in the greatest way possible. 

The question then becomes how do we trust like this? How, in our doubts, fears, anxieties, and uncertainties, do we begin to foster and experience this kind of trust? This kind of soul-deep question touches the deepest, most infected, scarred, and bricked off parts of our humanity. This question mystically also touches the darkest, most obscene, and painful realities of our world. How do we have faith rooted in trust of a God who claims to be good? 

Trust like this can only be known and experienced through truth and spirit. We must know it and have experienced it. One can know about something proficiently and still not trust it because they have never experienced it for themselves. The kind of faith we are talking about here is rooted in the presence of God. To know God deeply, to find Him trustworthy, answers the question about His goodness and propels us to follow Him yet deeper still into the depths of the unknown where his healing and resurrection can bring all broken and diseased things into wholeness and healing.

Below are descriptions of two practices that I have found disrupt my everyday functioning in a meaningful way. This is important because so much of our lives and our functions are automated. To disrupt what is normative and intentionally foster a space where we make ourselves aware of the God who wants to be with us (Emmanuel), creates an opportunity to experience His trustworthiness. These are not magical or mystical practices. They won’t “bring God’s presence” because God is already here, now, with you. These are practices that help awaken our heart, minds, and bodies, to that reality and that reality will always transform us. 

1. SILENCE AND SOLITUDE

This is different from loneliness. Loneliness is a lack of meaningful connection; silence and solitude are a practice of trust and peace. When I practice silence and solitude I struggle. My mind races with tasks undone and fears I am trying to out-think and out-action. This is the depth of the invitation of this practice. To sit quietly with my God. To allow my thoughts to settle. To make a conscious decision to lay my fears, aches, and hopes in the hands of my God. The goal of this practice is not to get through it, the goal of this practice is that it is uncomfortable to be made aware of how much my heart spins and my head clings to my own abilities, and my body takes the beating of too much cortisol rushing through my system. Silence and solitude isn’t an eastern concept of emptying oneself, it’s filling oneself with the presence of God. It’s taking stock of where I cling to control and fear and the glorious, if not painful invitation, to trust that God is good, and I am free to put control in His hands. 

Practice: 

Find somewhere beautiful and/or peaceful, a place you will not be interrupted but you are safe.

Put your cell phone's timer on for 45 minutes and then turn it too silent. This way you don’t have to look at your phone again because you know the alarm will go off and you won’t be distracted by that Facebook alert. 

Take some deep breaths to calm your body (big breaths in through your nose and out from your mouth, like you are blowing out birthday cake candles, lowers adrenaline and cortisol in your body). 

Sit. Attune yourself to the reality that you are in the presence of God. There are no magic words, mystical tea, or special songs that “get you there.” You are in the presence of God. Breathe deeply when your thoughts spiral. Know that God is there. Ask Him if he is trustworthy. You don’t need to prove what you know to Him by telling Him your theories or experiences. Just sit there. Listen. 

When the inevitable task list or hurt feelings surface, hold them, then offer them to God. See if He is trustworthy. 

When your alarm goes off or whenever you are done, take another deep breath. Take stock of your body, mind, and spirit. Consider what sitting in God’s presence does to you. 

Book suggestion:

Invitation to Silence and Solitude: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence by Ruth Hailey Barton

2. EATING

Eating is something most of us do most days. Some of us have too much, others not enough. When the Bible tells us Jesus came for the reconciliation of all things, it really is all things. Food is a sacred and fundamental requirement to be human. It’s not only a requirement for survival, throughout scripture we see time and time again when food is an invitation to partake in the life of God, to be transformed, reminded of truth, and welcomed into living a life of trust. To our culture, that invitation may mean to slow down and to consider. Similarly, the practice of taking eucharist (communion) is so vital to our Christian faith because it’s a prophetic act of remembrance that we are meant to do in community. Eating an intentional meal can bring us back to reality of what is true, good, and beautiful.

Practice:

Whether it is top ramen in your dorm room, a nicely laid table, or a sandwich during lunch break; pick a meal on purpose. You can do this with friends or alone, both are meaningful. Think through what was required for this meal to come to you. Farmers, processors, chefs, your own hands or those of someone near you. Give individual thanks for each life that brought you your meal. While there is much to ponder in regard to the complexities of human interaction, take time to bless each person involved in this one simple meal. Recognize and evaluate each individual's value, their reality of their image bearer-ness. Allow yourself to give thanks for these humans you have probably never met and the remarkability that your words of blessing matter because you too are made in God’s image, here on earth with the ability and design to reflect God’s goodness into this world. Through this meal you are being blessed while also being a blessing and that is remarkable. 

Book suggestion:

Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren

May you experience the goodness and trustworthiness of God in more depth and intimacy in this year like never before. Blessing to you brothers and sisters,

Kimberly

Proverbs 13:12 (The Passion Translation) says, “When hope’s dream seems to drag on and on, the delay can be depressing. But when at last your dream comes true, life’s sweetness will satisfy your soul.”

I love this verse for many reasons. One of the main reasons is because that’s how I felt. With the delays in motherhood came depression, anger, and even loss of hope. “It’s just not fair,” I often cried aloud. Every day I asked, “Will this ever happen? Could I even see the goodness of God through all this?” And I found that I could answer honestly, “Yes, I could see the goodness of God.” That realization helped me look to Him and not my situation, drawing me out of depression and anger, and restoring hope. 

There is a promise in this verse as well: “When at last your dream comes true, life’s sweetness will satisfy your soul.” Despite all the disappointment, changes, and heartbreaks, when you get what you hope for there will be joy! The joy is sweeter because it came in God’s timing, and it’s good. You’ll see that it was all worth it! 

I know that the holidays can be a depressing time for many, especially when you see someone attain what you desire; their child turning to Jesus, an engagement or baby announcement, maybe a wedding or a new job. These things can make you feel like you will never get what you long for. Don’t give up! We see a great example of this in the Bible with the disciples.   When Jesus died, the disciples lost all hope and were devastated because what they had hoped for was gone. Then Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to them. Their hope was restored, and Jesus adjusted their dreams, just slightly; their lives were sweeter because their soul was satisfied. 

What about you? Do you have a desire that seems to be heading to the grave because it looks like it will not happen? Don't give up! Instead, continually seek out Jesus by Asking, Seeking, and Knocking (continue to  ASK). I’m in the middle of my journey toward motherhood. I’m learning that it may not be exactly the way I thought it would happen, just like the disciples with Jesus’ mission here on earth. But the path/way that God chooses will be better than what I could ever imagine, even if it changes or comes in unexpected ways.  

Romans 15:13 has been a great encouragement to me; I even turned it into a prayer, and so this is my prayer for you. I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

His name was Major Ian Thomas. As many Brits of his day seemed to do, he retained the title “Major” from his service in the British military during WWII. He was a compelling Bible teacher and the founder of a Bible school movement, called Capernwray, which grew to include informal Bible schools in many countries around the world.

If you were present for my sermon a few weeks ago, you heard some of the things that Paulette and I learned from Major Thomas: About how the life of Jesus indwells those who believe in him; about the startling and cosmic reality of Christianity that the creator of the universe, like a friendly and benevolent alien from another world, inhabits the spirit of everyone who comes to faith in Jesus.

Here's what Major Thomas wrote about one effect of the indwelling life of Christ:

“No one walking the roads and streets of our neighborhoods today will meet the Lord Jesus in his own body, but He does indeed have a body on earth at this time. You and I are the hands, feet, lips, eyes, ears, mind, and heart of Jesus Christ. We are here to advertise Deity. 

Ours are the only bodies on earth He has, but through them our fellow human beings can receive a physical, visible, and audible expression of the glory of the invisible God. With our hands, some little child can feel His touch. Through our lips, some desperately lonely woman can hear His voice, and a frightened man running away from life, crushed by circumstances, can look us in the face and see Christ smile.”  

The Indwelling Life of Christ, pg. 158, 159

 So we pray: “Heavenly Father, I now make myself available to the Spirit of Jesus living in me. All that I am is available to all that you are. I put myself at your disposal to live your life through mine.”

When our oldest, Hannah, was born, we were amazed by how much a tiny person could up-end our world. It was like we were given a new lens to look at all of life through and everything looked different. That’s about the time that I started really evaluating: how am I going to read the Bible with any consistency? Is it really necessary to read it and why? Is it possible to read the Bible without my own world view informing my reading? (It’s not).

I had already read through the whole thing probably three times and the New Testament alone probably 20-30 times so I was curious - do I still need to read the whole thing or can I just occasionally read the gospels and some of the epistles or do the point and shoot method (you know: close your eyes, open the Bible anywhere, and point your finger to the page) and trust that I’ll find an encouraging verse or something. You only need to land on the laws in Leviticus, the measurements of the temple (in Exodus or Ezekiel) or some gloomy prophetic declaration against Israel’s idolatry to discover that the point and shoot method may not be enough to nurture a resilient faith.

My husband, Rees, suggested I read Gordon Fee’s book, “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth,” so I did. I would prop baby Hannah on some pillows facing me and read the book to her. I’m sure she got a lot out of that. Honestly, I immediately loved the book but I had to re-start it three times. I tried to do it “responsibly,” ie: read each scripture referenced in its entirety for myself, but you can imagine there are A LOT of scripture references in a book about the Bible! I’d spend so much time looking up verses that I’d forget what the book was getting at and have to start over. Eventually I decided to just read the book through.

The overarching story of God - revealed in many genres over lots of time and across numerous cultures - started to take shape for me. Any remnant of the Sunday school stories being isolated events or the characters of the Bible always somehow being people I should closely emulate started to fall away. I started to read the big picture story and to see repeating themes - mostly God being merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love - but also how he’s always present. The themes of God working in unexpected and impossible people and circumstances and how he always preserves a remnant of faith people no matter what seem to repeat themselves as well. I also saw how humans always try to make sense of stuff based on our limited, human understanding and perspective. I’m not saying that’s bad, just that we’re in good human company as we continue to do that, and we can know with certainty that we just aren’t going to really know the full big picture. There are lots of other themes that get repeated over and over again and I have slowly become captivated by that. 

At the end of August I finished another “read-through” of the Bible. For the past ten years I’ve chosen a word or two at the beginning of a read-through to follow throughout the whole Bible. I usually highlight it as a designated color. This year I chose the word “love” and underlined it with a red pencil. I was almost through Genesis when I began to notice that God’s love toward his people is always “steadfast love.” As I journeyed through the Old Testament  the pattern kept being repeated - God’s love toward his people is steadfast love. Sometimes the word “love” showed up by itself but it was usually in regards to people’s love. It’s an interesting word study but the take-away is that God’s love is a totally committed love. It’s an ongoing and faithful love, not one that grows cold and distant or gets dried out. 

There have been lots of unsettling things happening in our world and in our city but I’ve been slowly noticing that even though I might feel angry or grieved, I’m not so overcome with fear or anxiety about what’s going to happen or how the worldwide church will fare. I am noticing that some small assurance seems to be nestled in me: that God is present, he’ll continue to preserve a remnant, he’ll work in ways that aren’t always predictable, and that his love will remain steadfast. It makes me want to keep reading the Bible because I think it’s forming me into someone who believes that.

May we continue to be formed into a community - both here in Portland and across the world - who live in God’s steadfast love and are formed by his word.

• popped into the kitchen to help the cooks chop vegetables and prep for lunch
• taught little children how to shoot a basketball
• colored animal matching cards for the next day’s activity
• played catch, tag, shot baskets or kicked soccer balls around with kids
• sat side-by-side with their sponsor child making special memories together
• held babies/toddlers so the moms could do crafts

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 from the book of Galatians as well as some practical lessons for myself and the church today. Here is a little excerpt:

I often wonder why many believers do not know/understand the person and work of the Spirit and it makes me think about my why. It wasn’t that I actively chose not to learn about the Holy Spirit but rather that I just didn’t know what I didn’t know. Being connected to the body of Christ and being challenged to grow is a major reason for my understanding of the Spirit now. This reminds me of what the Scriptures say in Romans 10;

“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

I know this verse speaks of the good news of Jesus but I think it is also true for the believer who doesn’t know about the Spirit. How can they know if no one is teaching them? How can they know if we leave some of this knowledge only for those who go to seminary to learn? How can they know if our churches aren’t being intentional in teaching? How can they know if those who know aren’t sharing it and living it out? We need more Pauls challenging more Timothys to, “...now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." In speaking of trustworthy people, the Galatians were being misled by untrustworthy people in the church who appeared to be trustworthy. This brings out the point that finding and recognizing trustworthy people is important. Good leadership/teaching in the church is necessary for the growth of the body but the authority of church leadership does not supersede that of the Spirit. I imagine how confused the Galatian believers might have been having been saved through the preaching of Paul, a Jewish Christian and then having these other Jewish Christians telling them something different and not knowing what to do. They did not have access to the written word and as young believers, they would not have developed a good understanding of the Spirit’s power to combat the false teaching they were receiving.

We, however, do not have that excuse. We have the written Word, we have books and we have the examples of many believers. Although it is the church’s responsibility to make sure that teachers in the church adhere to sound doctrine, it is also the believers responsibility to study the scriptures and discern between sound and false teaching. We also have the Holy Spirit whose job is to do that if we will only learn to listen and trust his voice.

Someone asked me what I want to see God do in my life this summer: I want to practically rely on the Holy Spirit and give him his rightful place in my life. I want to listen and obey. I want that to flow into ministry, to walk in the Spirit so that the students who see my life, will seek to imitate me as I seek to imitate Christ. I will share what I have learned about the Spirit and encourage them also to do the work of understanding the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that more believers will truly keep in step with the Spirit, imitating Christ in theology (our study of God) and ethics (how we live our lives) so that the world will be won for Christ.

Rebecca

Of all the things one can get involved in the life of a church community, I believe that being in a small group is one of the most fruitful practices one can invest in for the life of a believer.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common." Acts 2:42-43

It’s great to come to worship services and listen to good teaching and worship songs, and it's great to be in Bible studies or Sunday school classes, and it’s even great to serve in the food pantry and help with the children or youth ministries. However, investing and being committed to a small group gives individuals the opportunity to live out Acts 2:42-43 in a deeper way.  

There are many benefits to being in a small group:

• Small groups practice how to love
• Small groups can give you an extended family
• Small groups study the Word together
• Small groups eat together
• Small groups help one another
• Small groups pray for one another
• Small groups provide opportunity to grow in service and leadership abilities
• Small groups provide encouragement and accountability
• Small groups can be hospitable

We currently have 12 small groups, with five groups open for new people to join them.

We also have other men’s and women’s discipleship groups (more focused on growing in one's personal walk as a follower of Christ).

We have men’s morning Bible studies and women’s Bible studies that meet at various times during the week.

Personally, in my 45 plus years of my journey with Christ, my experiences in various small groups have always encouraged me to pursue Christ more and helped me understand the Bible better.  

If you are interested in joining a group or leading a group, please contact me at: SmallGroups@pdxchurch.org. I would love to get you connected.

Jack

These last five months have been an absolute joy in every way possible. It’s also been one of the most exhausting seasons of our lives together, as you can probably imagine or have experienced first-hand.

In some ways, parenthood has been exactly what I expected: sleepless nights, an endless supply of diapers, Hadley having us wrapped around her finger already, etc. But in more ways, it’s not at all what I expected. Caring for and raising a baby is tough work, but it’s also amazing to watch how God has created and is sustaining this new life right in front of our very eyes. In that sense, parenthood has taught me so much more about God’s provision than I ever could have imagined.

Hadley’s world right now is eat, sleep, play. That’s it! She doesn’t carry the worries of work, the obligations of social calendars, the stress of financial burdens, or the uncertainty of the future that most of us can get wrapped up in. She just simply lives each day as it comes. And God keeps growing her, sustaining her, and providing for her. While she isn’t necessarily aware of this reality, Kelsey and I get to watch and experience that truth every single day. Now, does that truth seem very evident when we are exhausted or trying to negotiate with a five-month-old about going down for a nap/bedtime? Maybe not so much. But in the moments of stillness and calm, the evidence of God’s provision is on full display.

It sounds simple, but in the moments where we can just take a step back and realize that God is literally growing this tiny human in front of us, we are blown away by His goodness as Creator and Sustainer. Despite our questions and our inexperience as parents, God is still working. Despite our exhaustion and our never-ending quest for a full night’s sleep, God is still working. And despite the times that we don’t feel it or perceive it, God is still working. What a gift that is.

We’re excited to continue to watch Hadley grow, learn, and become who God has created her to be. And we’re so grateful to be walking alongside this community while that happens. See you around, friends!

• They are joyous. Telling a story, going outside, the play park ball pit, all bring wide smiles and laughter to the kids. 
• They are helpful. So many of them stop what they’re doing when asked to help set up snack, turn off the lights, or grab supplies for an activity.
• They are curious. Eager to understand the Bible stories, even to understand broader theological concepts like the trinity, kids aren’t afraid to ask questions.
• They are grateful. When closing in prayer, I ask the kids what they want to thank God for and so often it is simple things in life – their snacks, their friends, their toys, their family. 
•  They are reliant. When in need of anything, kids quickly turn to their parent, grandparent, or teacher for help.

1. God likes to answer our little requests with big truths
2. We are made perfect through experiences

 
First gem:
How often have you prayed for something very specific, but later prayed more earnestly, venting your core fears to Him. THEN you feel Him answer with a big truth about who He is. So often when we’re asking for things like “Dear Lord, please help my child do well in school today, or at least not get in trouble,” we’re giving God a multiple-choice question, or a ranked Christmas list.
 
But the real reason for the prayer is that we love our child, and fear for their wellbeing. God’s answer is often in response to the honest prayer, which would be, “Dear Lord, I love my children and am afraid for their health and growth. Please bless them with health and growth…that is if I can trust you.” To which God’s answer would be, “I am the God that breathed the stars into existence, knitted your child together in their mother’s womb, and delivered the faithful through countless enemies. I see you and I love you, and I love your child. Can you trust that?”
 
And just like my talk with Lynda, I get so much more out of bringing my deepest feelings and fears to God than when I ask for little things. And the answer is often wisdom that renders the fear conquerable through trust.
 
Second Gem:
Fatherhood is like so many things where you cannot be fully ready for it until you’re doing it. It is like exercise. You can study perfect form and take all the supplements. But you’ll never be ready for the gym until you’re in it. We are designed to improve only when we try, reach our limit, and push a little beyond it, over and over. This is true for our spiritual growth as well.
 
In fact, this was even true for Christ. It says in Hebrews 5:8-9, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. ⁹ And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” This scripture is one of several portions of the book of Hebrews that explains how Jesus is the perfect High Priest between us and God the Father. It is important to note that these verses are not saying that Jesus was imperfect, as in flawed, but rather made complete in his Priesthood through the lesson of enduring suffering. He was fully God, but also fully man. It was Jesus the man that learned temptation and pain and endured them without sinning. This was a perfection that could only be realized through the exercise of suffering. His spirit and his flesh were perfectly united in their understanding of the darkness of sin and the power of atonement.
 
God will also likely call us many times to learn things or become greater versions of ourselves inescapably through experience. It is often a necessary ingredient to sanctification. In fact, He also answers many prayers with experiences. Like, when I prayed many times, “God, help me to be a good father to my sons.” Part of His answer to that prayer was by having them born and making them difficult sleepers. I quickly learned how to be a good father for them when they were in my arms. I got great at rocking them, and, although they tested my patience very much, this taught me how to be more patient. Let us not be so quick to question God when he answers our prayers with difficult experiences. It just might be exactly what we were asking for.
 
God has a great sense of irony, does He not? It has been said in scripture that the last shall be first. The dead shall live. The rich shall be poor. In giving you receive. God brought a nation out of an aging, barren Sarai, and He brought salvation to mankind through a promised king from a lineage of kings, but in the form of a meek carpenter.
 
Furthermore, as we’ve learned here, our specific requests can be best answered with seemingly unrelated, broad truths. He can also call us to become prepared for something by simply having the endeavor begin. And I know this, he often blesses a boy with a child, and it is through that child that a man is born. I am blessed to help raise my sons because they are helping raise me to new life.
 
This approaching Father’s Day, let’s not just celebrate the role that dads play, but the men they get to become.
 
Here’s to growing up one day!
 
-Stephen Hayden

The word ‘mother’ evokes in each person some kind of deep emotions. While some are filled with love and gratitude for our mothers, many others are filled with feelings like hurt, shame, loss, resentment, anger regret, or the constant reminder that you are never good enough. 

Genesis chapters 12 – 16 introduce us to Sarai, who later becomes Sarah, wife of Abram. We meet a woman who desperately wants children but can't bear them, the pain of decisions made out of her control, and the great lengths she goes to in order to become a mother. But most of all, her story reveals the gentleness of God who saw her pain. 

In Genesis 11:29-30, we learn that Sarai is married, barren, and late in her years. In a culture where a woman’s worth and identity were defined by whether or not she had children, it is easy to imagine how painful those circumstances were for Sarai. Having lived all her life seeing her peers get married and become mothers while carrying the weight of not being able to be one herself, how difficult her reality must have been. Every day without progress, every month when she learned that she was still not pregnant, every year that went by must have been a powerful and discouraging reminder of her deep pain. 

Gen 11:31 goes on to speak of a decision her father-in-law, Terah, made to move Abram and Sarai away from their home, friends, and family. We are not privy to Sarai’s emotions, but it is easy to wonder if she might have been silently thankful for the opportunity to go somewhere where no one knew about her circumstances. Maybe she was relieved to have fewer people talking about her. As Sarai and Abram continue to move homes, encounter obstacles, and remain childless, we begin to get a picture of a woman who had deep inner longings, yet outwardly was expected to respond positively to decisions she had no control over. Decisions that profoundly impact her life.

In Genesis 16, to fulfill her deep longing for a child, Sarai directs her husband to sleep with Hagar, one of her maids. Abram agrees and Hagar falls pregnant, but as soon as the deed was done, Sarai’s deep insecurities cause her to lash out against Hagar. She so mistreats her that a pregnant Hagar would rather flee than live with Sarai. Even in Sarai’s attempt to take motherhood into her own hands, Sarai still ends up hurt and insecure, to the point of hurting others. 

You might be thinking, “what a depressing blog to read in anticipation of Mother’s Day. Where is the joy in this story? Where is the warm and fuzzy?” But that is the point. Mother’s Day isn’t always warm and fuzzy for everyone. Sometimes it can be filled with immense pain. Maybe Mother’s Day reminds you of your inner battles or decisions made by a spouse and children that left you feeling out of control. Perhaps your relationship with your own mother is on shaky ground. 

If Mother’s Day brings up emotions that are not the warm and fuzzy kind, may you be reminded that God sees you, just as he saw Sarai. He was present in all her circumstances and pain. He had plans and promises tucked away for Sarai from before the foundation of the world. She was not defined by her struggles, and neither are you. God took Sarai’s greatest pain and insecurity and turned them into her greatest strengths. He built his whole kingdom on her. God has plans for each of us. For all our past or present pain, for everything that was out of your control, on this day designed to highlight mothers, may you remember this simple truth: The Lord your God is with you, and HE rejoices over you with singing (Zeph. 3:1). And that is the joy in this story.

“People will come from east and west and north and south and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
– Luke 13:29

I love this time of year when we at GPBC celebrate how God is working around the world through our global partners! It’s so easy to focus on our little part of God’s big mission and forget that He is doing amazing things all over the world to help people know Jesus. Listening to our global partners share the good work that God is doing allows us to celebrate and worship God as He intended us to, as one big church—God’s church!

Next week, GPBC will send a team from our faith community overseas to support, encourage, and serve our global partners. I am very honored to be a part of that team. Every time I travel outside my ministry bubble, God opens my eyes to how He is moving throughout the world, allowing my faith to grow, and inspiring me to continue to serve Him here in Portland. While not everyone from GPBC is able to travel with the team, your support (both financial and in prayer) is critical. Thank you to everyone who financially supported the team. I am happy to report that we are fully funded!

As we prepare to leave, would you be willing to pray for us and the global partners we are visiting? We would love prayer for safe travel, health, and above all, that we will be able to love, support, and encourage our global partners. Serving God overseas can be trying; we want all our global partners know that we stand with them, that they are not alone!

Thank you GPBC family for showing love to our global partners! I hope you enjoy the next two weeks as we continue to hear from our global partners and celebrate how God is working through them to help people all over the world grow closer to Jesus!

This past Wednesday was the beginning of our Lenten season, and what some Christian denominations refer to as “Ash Wednesday.” I remember both in my youth and young adult life going to mass on this day and receiving the incense-infused ashes spread on my forehead in the shape of a cross. The priest would say, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” It was a tangible reminder of our mortality, and even more so, a reminder of the darkness of sin and that Jesus died for us. I always felt humbled when I received the ashes, as well as a sadness that MY sins were part of the reason Jesus suffered and died. We would leave the church in silence. It felt like a holy moment.

Lent is a time where we can encounter many holy moments. This year, I want my personal reflection and remembrance of Jesus’ journey to the cross to be deeper and more heartfelt than ever before. I want to ponder the scriptures and embrace as much of Jesus as I can.

I would like to personally invite you to make this Lenten season one of the richest ones you have ever encountered as well. Make it more personal than it’s ever been. Set apart time to spend with Him. Open your eyes to see. Open your ears to hear. Open your heart to feel. Read the scriptures about Jesus, our sacrificial lamb. Meditate on His journey to the cross, put yourself into the story, walk alongside Him. Listen to what the Holy Spirit might want to say to you, or perhaps just allow yourself to feel His presence. Make it personal, because, my dear friend, it is personal.

As we all know, life sometimes throws us for a loop. We experience the loss of a loved one, job losses or changes, health problems, difficult relationships, situations with our children, divorce, and the list goes on. We feel scared, fearful, weak, confused, lost. It feels like we’re alone in our own private wilderness, and there seems to be no help in sight. 

Greg reminded us last Sunday that as Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, the Holy Spirit was with Him. In our wilderness moments, we too, have the Holy Spirit there with us. Yet God knows that sometimes we also need a human connection, and He provides others to come alongside us to give us support and encouragement along the way. We currently have two care ministries at GPBC that provide such support.

Stephen Ministry at GPBC is made up of lay Stephen Ministers who meet one-on-one with those who are going through a difficult time. Stephen Ministers are Jesus to their care receivers, providing a listening ear, encouragement, prayer, and support.

We also have new support groups starting soon, more information can be found here.

Please contact the church office at (503) 452-9375 if you are interested in having a Stephen Minister contact you, or if you want additional information regarding our support groups.

In Ezekiel 34, the Lord condemned the ‘shepherds’ of Israel (priests and civic leaders): 

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. (Ezekiel 34:2-4) 

There was a leadership crisis in Israel. The leaders were both negligent and abusive. They expected to be served by the sheep rather than to serve them. They used their leadership to care for themselves, not for the sheep.

We also are in a leadership crisis. Regardless of conservative or liberal, left or right, we have learned not to trust our leaders. We just expect that the vast majority of them will be more concerned about their power, prestige, wealth, and pleasure than the needs of the people. Nor is the church exempt from this. How many clergy scandals of power, morality, and greed have we witnessed even recently? 

And it’s not just us and it’s not just now. Ever since Cain and his descendants, the world has suffered from the crisis of the self-centered corruption of leadership. 

I was privileged to spend a couple of days last week with the shepherds of Greater Portland Bible Church: our elder team. I can objectively and confidently tell you that they are good shepherds (see 1 Peter 5:1-4.) We discussed some difficult and delicate issues. Their guiding principles in decision-making were always the truth of Scripture and the well-being of the people of our congregation. These are leaders you can trust. 

The LORD’s solution for the leadership crisis in Israel is in verse 11 of Ezekiel 34: 

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep.

This passage and others like it in Isaiah and Jeremiah are what Jesus had in mind when he told the Pharisees, the ‘shepherds’ of Israel in his day, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) He was saying that he was the LORD, Yahweh himself come to the earth as promised to be the leader, the shepherd that Israel and the world needed. He came, not to be served, but to serve, to comprehensively care for us even at the cost of his own life. That’s a good shepherd!

The solution for any leadership crisis today, whether the family, the church, or civil leadership, is for the leaders to be completely and continuously in submission to the Good Shepherd. Are you? Can you say with the ancient shepherd-king David, “The LORD is my shepherd?"

The Transfiguration is one of my favorite moments in the life of Jesus. Not only do we see beautiful imagery of Moses and Elijah representing the law and the prophets pointing toward Jesus, but the mountaintop cloud of God’s presence and audible voice is reminiscent of how God represents Himself regularly in the Old Testament. It’s an amazing, prophetic moment that grounds Christ’s journey and meaning in the rest of scripture.

My favorite part of the story is when Peter, while confused and trying his best to take it all in, tells Jesus he’d like to build three tents or tabernacles. Mark 9:5 says, “And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Peter understands that this is a divine moment and wants to provide a space for each of these spiritual leaders to reside in. If he can provide a place for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, Peter will be able to come back to them and access their wisdom whenever he wants. It’s almost like he’s saying, “Camp out! Stay awhile! Don’t leave!”

We can do the same thing when we encounter Jesus in our lives. As we mature in our faith, we can romanticize different moments in our walk with God. The letdown of returning back to normal life after falling on our face in an emotionally heightened experience can be difficult. Even as Peter, James, and John leave the mount of transfiguration, Jesus says not to tell people about the experience. That would be hard!

The truth is that Jesus had much greater things in store for them if they continued to walk with him. Jesus didn’t want Peter to remain on that mountain. Peter would go on to be the rock that Christ built his church on. The same idea is true for us. Sometimes we must come down from a mountain and walk through a valley because Jesus has something greater for us in store. While it’s not always easy, just like the disciples, we do not go it alone, but with Christ at our side.

Growing up as a Christian, I learned it is important to involve God in everything I do. In youth, we read through Colossians, and I liked this verse:

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

Now, this is easier said than done. Going to a public school my whole life, it has been hard to not give in to the temptations of the devil. I have friends who don't have the same beliefs as I do, and it is difficult sometimes because we might butt heads about our different views. But I know God wants me to show love to everyone. So, I try to go through life expressing love to those around me.

And as much as I love spending time with God, it becomes hard to spend time with Him just because of the busyness of school and everyday life. I struggle a lot with reading the Bible and praying on a regular basis. To help with that, a few friends and I have started a weekly challenge. We try to pray and read the Bible a couple times a week and check in with each other. It has honestly helped me grow closer to God and involve Him during the week.

I try to express God in all that I do, and that includes dance. I have danced for over ten years now, and I am so lucky to go to a Christian-run studio. My dance teachers play Christian music all the time, and I get to share something I love with God. I talk about my studio with all my friends which leads me to talk about God and faith too.

God is such a big part of my life, and even though it can be hard sometimes, I try to bring him into every piece of it.

The following is a devotion by Henry and Richard Blackaby on January 1:

Resolutions
"“When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” John 21:15.

“Jesus has a wonderful way of restoring us when we fail Him! He does not humiliate us. He does not criticize us. He does not ask us to make a resolution to try harder. Rather, He takes us aside and asks us to reaffirm our love for Him.

Peter miserably failed his Lord when he fled with the other disciples from the Garden of Gethsemane. Later, he publicly denied that he even knew Jesus. Peter must have wondered if he had been capable of being Jesus’ disciple when he was unfaithful to Jesus in His most crucial hour.

As you begin a new year, you may be painfully aware that you have failed your Lord in many ways. Perhaps you disobeyed His word to you. Perhaps you denied Him by the way you lived. Jesus will take you aside, as He did Peter. He will not berate you. He will not humiliate you. He will ask you to examine your love for Him. He asked Peter, ”Do you love Me?” If your answer, like Peter’s, is “Yes, Lord,” He will reaffirm His will for you. If you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14:15). Jesus does not need your resolutions, your recommitments or your promises to try harder this year. If your resolve to obey God last year did not help you to be faithful, it will not make you successful this year. Jesus asks for your love. If you truly love Him, your service for Him in the new year will be of the quality that He desires.”

My husband, Doug, and I were humbled after reading this devotion on January 1. We asked ourselves the question that Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” In the past we have made many resolutions that after a few weeks had been broken. The one resolution I would make for several years was that I would read the Bible every day. When I failed, I would beat myself up and say, "I need to try harder." I did feel like a failure. It is so reassuring that Jesus doesn’t humiliate us when we fail.

He is asking you and me, “Do you love Me?” Do we love Him above every relationship, every material possession we own, above our jobs and ministry, above our health, above our schedules, and above our failures? Taking time to reflect on where we are in our love for Him is vital to our continued intimacy with Jesus. Together let’s take the time to answer that question, “Do you love Me?” Remember, Jesus doesn’t need our resolutions or recommitments. He asks for our love and our obedience, PERIOD!

Happy New Year GPBC Community! I love each one of you and look forward to serving and loving Jesus with you all in 2022!

Today we are closing out 2021 and tomorrow ushering in 2022! For some of us this may bring a sigh of relief that we made it another year. Others may be anxious, stepping into the new year with skepticism and asking what unknowns we are walking into. And others may be stepping into 2022 with great hope on the horizon.

I find myself a mixed bag of all three. 2021 had some very difficult moments for me, so the end of this year and beginning of a new one does fill me with optimism and a fresh start. After the past two years in our world, I am curious what challenges will present themselves next, but am praying that God equips me for the unknown. And, yes, I am genuinely excited about what God has in store for the story of Greater Portland Bible Church in the new year!

I was recently reminded of Lamentations 3:22-24:

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

Let’s take a moment to walk through these verses and lean into them this next year.

No matter what we have gone through, are going through, and will go through, these verses ring true! God’s love for you does not waver and it does not stop. Period! Every morning when you wake up there are new mercies for you. Every single morning.

What if we woke up each morning with a willingness to receive those mercies, knowing that God is faithful to us each day. We would walk with joy even in difficulties; our love for God would remain as faithful as his love is for us, and we would be a people that would love everyone that we encounter.

Allow God to be your portion and your sustenance in 2022. This reminds me of the conversation Jesus has with the woman at the well in John 4 when Jesus sits with her and says in verse 14, “…but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.” Wow! Jesus is our portion and his offering of water that will quench the eternal thirst is proof that God’s mercies are new every morning.

GPBC, as we step into this new year, let Lamentations 3:22-24 be the verse we remember every morning. Let us go the well where Jesus is sitting at and waiting to commune with us as we drink from the eternal water that will forever give us life and refreshment.

If you're friends with Wayne and Paulette Williams, you learn that asking yourself questions is good and sometimes helpful. One question I asked myself is, “Why did I agree to write a blog when I am not gifted in writing, and it can stress me out?” The word witness came to mind. We all have different gifts of the Spirit, as it talks about in 1 Corinthians 12, but we all can be witnesses to the goodness of God and His worthiness to be praised. So I do not have the gift of writing, but I can speak of the goodness of God.

This year, my “go to” book of the bible is Hebrews. A different section than usual keeps coming to mind. It's Hebrews 2:1-4 (NASB):

"1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will."

I began to ask myself questions like “Am I neglecting my salvation? What does it look like to neglect salvation? What does it look like to not neglect my salvation?” In all of these thoughts I came back to grace. I cannot live out my salvation without grace. In Romans 3:23, it says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I am overwhelmed by my need for grace and thankful for Jesus who provided that grace, mercy, and forgiveness because of His life, death, and resurrection. So now what to I do? Hebrews 2:1 helps by telling me to pay close attention, but Ephesians 4:23-24 (NASB) states:

"23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."

What do I need to put on the “new self” daily?

1. I need my Bible and Bible study/small group. Thank you Wayne and Paulette for leading me to Jesus and helping me grow emotionally and spiritually. Thank you to the women in my small groups who help and encourage me.
2. I need church. Thank you Greg, Staff, and Elders for doing your best to lead the church to Jesus and helping us grow spiritually.
3. I need ministry. I have been the director of the pantry for 10 years. David Livingstone stated that it is not a burden to be in the will of God. When I look back at the past experiences that God gave me, I see how He gifted me to be the Pantry Director and it has not been a burden. Thank you for all who work in the pantry because our response to those in need is important. Jesus wants us to respond with kindness, grace, and mercy to those in need both physically and spiritually.

Will I live this out perfectly? NO! I continue to need grace, mercy, and forgiveness and to give grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Jesus does not turn away from me when He doesn't like my attitude. He continues to work with me, and I should do the same especially when it is a difficult situation. Jesus does not wish that any should perish. Do those perishing break my/your heart? I will trust Jesus to give me what I need when he “refines” my faith by fire (1 Peter 1: 7) or if he asks me to go to Nineveh (Jonah). I wish to follow Jesus all the days of my life because God is good and worthy to be praised.

One of the most precious gleanings I have grasped from reading God’s word is when God spoke to Hagar, an outcast. She called Him “El Roi,” the “God Who sees.” He saw her, really saw her, and He sees us—He sees you. And yet, I find myself wondering at times. I wonder...dare I ask?

“Dear Precious Lord, may I ask You something?”

“Always, my beloved, always.”

“Do You really see ME? I mean, do You see me while I am going through my inner struggles? Do You see me in my hurts? Do You see me in my brokenness, my regrets, my longings? Do You see me when I’m so uncertain about my future? Do You see me when I or someone I love suffers greatly in body? Do You see me when I suffer in relationships—in my marriage, my sibling relationships, my children, my friendships? Do You see me when I am treated badly by others? Do You see me when I am impacted by the evil influences in my life, in the world? Do You see me as I watch my parent or spouse begin to lose themselves, and do You “see” them? Do You see me as I try to continue on when I have no energy left? Do You see me when I try so hard to support my family? Do You see me as I agonize over my children, wanting them to be restored to You and once more experience the joy of Your salvation, and do You “see” them, wherever they are? Do You see me as I struggle with mental illness? Do You see me when I am grieving the loss of my loved one? Do You really see me, Lord? Do You really love me?”

“My precious child, I ALWAYS see you in whatever state you find yourself in, and I ALWAYS love you. I see your struggles, I see your pain, I see your heartache, I see your sorrows. I see YOU, always. Now, may I ask you a question? Do YOU see ME?"

“Do I see You? What do you mean, Lord?”

"Do you see Me? Do you see Me loving you and being present in every situation you are in? Christmastime is here, where those who know Me celebrate “God’s love coming down.” Do you see Me in that? Do you see Me stepping down from Heaven to come to earth—for you? Do you see Me born and lying in the manager—for you? Do you see Me growing and living an earthly life, with all that it entails, for you? Do you see Me traveling from town to town, sharing the love of My Father, teaching, healing, and blessing others—for them yes, but also for you? Do you see Me suffering and dying on the cross for all sins, yours, and others—for you? Do you see Me rising from the dead and bringing everlasting life to all who believe in Me—for you?

And My dear child, do you “see” Me in your today? I see you in every breath you take and in every moment and situation you find yourself in. I am right there with you. But do you “see” Me there? Do you see Me giving you breath? Do you see Me providing for you in this very moment? Do you see Me sharing in your pain? Do you see Me offering you a peace that surpasses understanding in spite of where you find yourself? Do you see My love that came down at Christmas and My love that continues on today? Oh yes, My beloved, I do see you, always. Do you see Me?”

“Oh Lord, I want to see You in my everything. And sometimes I do, but at other times it's hard. I will try to have my eyes—and my heart—more open to seeing. Thank You for still loving me, and for still seeing me, even when I forget to consider or acknowledge the importance of me seeing You. And thank You, that especially during difficult times when I need reminders, encouragement, and support from others to help me know that You are indeed here with me and that You do truly see me, You place the right people there for me. They help remind me to look and to “see You”—to see you loving me in each and every moment I’m in. Thank You, my dear precious Lord, for You, and for the people You provide to me."

I don’t know about you, but I find myself in awe of how much God loves us. It’s certainly not because of anything we did to deserve it. He loves us because of who He is. He chose us first, WHILE we were yet sinners, so unworthy. We are redeemed when we accept Him as our Savior. I certainly don’t deserve it, and there are times when it’s hard for me to accept it, or even identify it, but even when I don’t feel it, I know it’s true. I thank God that He is who He is, and, like my dear friend says, “…and Who He will ALWAYS be.” Amen to that!

How about you? Are you feeling seen by God? Are you seeing Him? There are times when things happen in our lives that rock our world in ways that make it hard for us to see anything beyond the moment we are in. It just seems too unbearable. The pain, uncertainty, confusion, and brokenness seems to blind us from seeing past anything. Sometimes we need someone to help us see. As many of you know, we have Stephen Ministry here at our church that is made up of lay people whose passion it is to meet with people one-on-one, and to walk alongside and be Jesus to them when they are going through tough times. Please reach out to our church if you (or someone you know) are in need of an extra set of eyes to help you see God is present, He does see you, and you will get through this time with His help and His great love for you. (All care is confidential: stephenministry@pdxchurch.org.)

As we celebrate His love come down, let us see Him. Do you see what I see?

Merry Christmas!

By Butch Whitten--

As many of the old timers at church know, I was a taxi driver. Back in 2000, I had a man die in my cab. I was taking him to a doctor's appointment in St. Johns. He fell asleep - or so I thought - so I let him sleep on the way to the appointment. I pulled up to the doctor's office and went inside to tell them that the man was asleep in my cab. The lady in the office did a code call and every doctor rushed outside to wake him up. The doctor took his pulse then looked at me and told me he was dead.  
  
Instead of taking his death to God, I took it to the bottle, the bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey. My journey of whiskey continued until June 2000 when I was transported to Providence Portland Hospital on NE Glisan Street because I couldn't breathe very well. I was on the verge of dying from too much whiskey in my body. A team of student doctors from OHSU said I should have died, and an alcohol counselor came to my room and invited me to treatment. I told him to get out of my room. 
  
I left the hospital three days later and went home to finish the whiskey that I started before going to the hospital.  
  
However, God still got my attention to go to alcohol treatment. The alcohol counselor that I kicked out of my room became my counselor at the treatment center. My friends, that was God at work in my life!  
  
I was sent to AA meetings and my sobriety date is March 23, 2001. I began going to meetings at NW 24th and Kearney Street, behind Good Samaritan Hospital. After about 4 years of sobriety, I started going to AA meetings at a Catholic Church in NW Portland under the Fremont Bridge. Our group was really growing, and we had to find a bigger place to meet. I recommended Greater Portland Bible Church to my sponsor, and he asked me to look into our meeting at GPBC. I asked then pastor Jon Sturm about it, and he said that he saw how God and AA had changed my life (thank you, Jesus!). The pastors and elder board approved my request and we started meeting at the church on Saturday nights. Eventually, we started meeting three nights a week. 
  
Greater Portland Bible Church has graciously been our host for over 16 years. Founding Pastor Lynn Kent told me he wanted us to be a healing church.           

Isaiah 53:4 has meant a lot to me: 
      "...by His stripes, we are healed."
  
Thank you, Jesus.  
  
On behalf of my AA brothers and sisters, we thank you for providing a great meeting hall for us. Our speakers from all over the country speak highly of our church.  God bless all of you!

I grew up in a household where the coming of Christmas meant that my mom would pull out endless boxes and our house would transform into a winter wonderland. We had a tree so fully decorated that not one branch was bare. Our mantle was this majestic icicle theme. There was a tiny Christmas village that looked like it should have been a photo scene in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. There was garland strung around banisters and mantles. Kitchen towels, bathroom towels, and tissue box covers shouted Christmas themes! Don't get me started on how many lights were hung inside and outside. Our house was completely "other than" what it used to be on November 30. As a child, I loved witnessing the transformation, and our house felt magical, inviting, and invigorating.

Though my decorating capacity is more toned down than my mom's, we still experience that warm and exciting feeling within our own family when we pull out all the boxes, still smile and laugh as we hang the adorable decorations that were made when the boys were in preschool and kindergarten, and still revel in how our house becomes that "other than" place where we experience our beloved advent season.

As you decorate your homes this year, notice what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about the transformation that has happened to the interiors of your heart, similar to the transformation you experience to the interiors (and exteriors) of your home.

Here are a few scriptures to meditate upon as you decorate. May this be a rich time for you and your family as you celebrate all that God has done, and is doing, in each of you. Share them with each other and give thanks for the ways He's "decorating" our stony, barren hearts and transforming them into something breath-taking.

• And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV)
• I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:46 (NIV)
• For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. Isaiah 44:3-4 (ESV)
• Therefore, if any man (woman) be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are becoming new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
• The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
• And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

Those who are in Christ are distinguished from unbelievers in that they have been gifted with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to bear fruit. Their works demonstrate the transformation that is at work in their hearts.

May all the "decorating" and transformation that the Lord is doing in each of your hearts bring Him so much glory during this advent season. HE IS WORTHY!!!!

This Sunday is Community Sunday, and our theme is Gratitude!! We get to remember and celebrate our Big God together as a whole faith community.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a Living Hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” 1 Peter 1:3

We need Jesus to be Our Living Hope as much as we ever have. Our Hope is alive today in this world in all circumstances and situations because of Who Jesus is!!! He is bigger than all diseases of the body and mind, all distances that separate us from all we hope for, all discouragements and disasters that come our way, all manner of darkness and deception, and Jesus is even bigger than death! As we come together to express and experience Gratitude in many ways, we get to remember and celebrate that as Jesus followers, our Gratitude comes from the Living Hope of Jesus! AND we get to give that Living Hope in Jesus away to others, too!!!

What to Bring:

1. Yourself!! We aren’t Us without You!!
2. Picture/s of your Loved Ones who are no longer here with us, if you like, and a few words to describe what you loved about them to share on our Remembrance Boards.
3. Shoebox/es for Giving and Blessing of Operation Christmas Child ‘21.
4. Please take time before Sunday to connect with The Holy Spirit and these verses as your jumping off point for Gratitude.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… In all this we greatly rejoice, though now for a little while we may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of our faith—of greater worth than gold...may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though we have not seen him, we love him; and even though we do not see him now, we believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for we are receiving the end result of our faith, the salvation of our souls." 1 Peter 1: 3, 6-9

November is a time of thanksgiving, when we take the time to remember what God has done, slow down, and spend time with our families. This is also the time of year when things can get crazy busy as we prepare for the holidays! 

This is especially true for me this year. I find myself juggling school, church, sports, and Boy Scouts—all while applying to colleges and trying to earn scholarships. If you haven’t figured it out already, I am currently a senior in high school and looking forward to the next chapter of my life. 

Often when I feel overwhelmed, I like to listen to music and/or go for a run. This really helped me during the COVID shutdowns. It allowed me to get out of the house, stay healthy, and release some pent-up energy! More often in life, we distract ourselves or make ourselves so busy that we start to put our relationship with God on the sideline (yes…I am a football player hence the sports reference). I am guilty of doing this very thing. At times I find myself spiraling with anxiety until the point I turn to God.

When I turn to prayer and scripture, God often reminds me to slow down and focus on Him. In Matthew 11:28, I find comfort knowing Jesus is with me and helps to carry my burdens:
 
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

As our lives get busier in the next few weeks, we need to remember to take a step back and ask, “Is my relationship with God my priority right now or is it something else?” Even if it is something else, we do not need to feel ashamed. Our world has hundreds of things trying to get our attention, so eventually everyone will get distracted by one thing or another. The important thing is that we are able to make sure that our relationship with God is still our priority. I do this by spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, and coming together and connecting with my faith community. 

I pray God brings your family rest during this holiday season. I look forward to seeing you at church!

By Lee Ballard--

This week at Planted, I was asked to speak about doubt. Believe you me, while it seems to be in my nature to wrestle with my own doubts, I worry that what I think about doubt and what I have to say about doubt may not be entirely useful for other people.

For about twenty years now, I’ve been trying to write a book on the subject. Originally, I wanted to tackle doubt from a purely epistemological point of view; I wanted to document the history of people thinking about certainty and uncertainty. I wanted to explore the limits of human understanding, when we should lean into it and when we should not. Over time, I began to focus on doubt both as a source of comfort and as a tool for overcoming the pitfalls of double-mindedness that may plague the modern Christian. I focused on the relationship between psychological doubt that comes from fear and logical doubt that comes from the inability to hold every part of a complex and broken world in my head at once. I wandered the border between doubt (when it helps discover truth) and unbelief (when it does not). I began to feel that doubt was an open door to a fuller relationship with God, but I could not say just how. In the midst of that struggle, God saw fit to gift me with major depressive disorder, and He has taken my head and heart on an unexpected journey.

Early in my struggle with depression, the Lord led me to Psalm 13. It’s a short little passage, but I simply could not escape it. The words were too true to be doubted despite the doubt that they expressed. I felt as if I was the one who wrote these words:

Psalm 13 
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? For ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

If that’s not doubt—if that’s not certainty—I’m not sure what is. It has been of great comfort to know that I am not alone in wondering where God is and that depression’s worst symptoms are not unique to me. Doubt yammered at David in some of the same ways that it has me, but doubt is not necessarily the enemy here. David doubted himself and his ability to cope with his thoughts and circumstances, not in the provision of God.

I have marveled at how that has played out in my own life. Throughout these terrible four years of depression, I have often felt God has abandoned me, yet I have never once turned the apprehension of my own limitedness (which necessitates doubt, I think) into unbelief. It has often taken others to help me recognize the provision of God, though. The Lord has brought people into my life who have reminded me of the love of Jesus in the midst of my fear, angst, and sadness. They have often believed for me when I could not believe for myself. They have led me to the certainty of Jesus’ bounty in the midst of my doubts. 

How do we love our neighbors? In Mark 12:31, Jesus says to "love your neighbor as yourself." I have seen our church do this well by providing for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the community! Meeting those needs is an important part of loving our neighbors, but there are other ways people express and experience love.

When James and I were newly married, we took a class on The Five Love Languages book by Gary Chapman. If you have never read the book, the five love languages he describes are Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Over the years, I have discovered my top two love languages are Quality Time and Acts of Service. If you really want to overflow my love meter, serve with me in ministry or volunteer with me in the community! I love the fact that my entire family (James, Isaac and Violet) serve in Children’s Ministry with me, experiencing love together! Some of the deepest friendships I have, both within the church and outside the church, are with people I have served with. There is something special about having a shared passion and working hard side-by-side with someone else. At Greater Portland Bible Church, it is so inspiring when God unites us in mission together!

This weekend, we have an opportunity to show God’s love to the SW Portland community as we host Family Jam, a safe and fun Halloween carnival, on Sunday from 5:30-7:30 PM! I love this event because we get to know our neighbors and invite in those who may not be willing to come into our church otherwise. Our faith community has always joined together to love our neighbors, and I’m looking forward to once again demonstrating Jesus’ love while serving along all of you at Family Jam!

Here is a sneak peak into our 9-hole, glow-in-the-dark mini golf course!

When I was asked to write something for the weekly E-Newsletter, I first dismissed it. Then I questioned God as to why I was even asked. I thought maybe I should pray about it. You think? Well, I did, and I was having a great conversation with God as to all the reasons I shouldn’t. After all, what could I possibly write about that would be a blessing to others? And when I started to feel like I should, could, and ought to, I said, “With your help God, I can." Then I started freaking out. "What did I just do, God? Why did I say yes?" So, here I am writing to you all about something the Lord has laid on my heart over the last few years. 

I have family members and friends who have lifestyles and embrace worldviews and outlooks (such as "do whatever makes you happy") that are very different from my own. I have been asking myself how I should show the love of God to them? How do I love those in my life beyond my capabilities? How do I love others as Jesus loves me? It isn’t enough to say I love someone or actually have a heart of love if I don’t put that love into action. Only then am I truly loving.

God has shown me that I have to LOVE HIM first.  

Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied, ”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself.”  

So, I began my journey to learn how to love God, then myself, then my neighbors and put it into practice. 

It’s hard to live out my love for people with non-Christian views or lifestyles that are not in line with mine. It’s a battle and I get in the way, my flesh, my mind, my heart, my sin, sleep deprivation, illness, unforgiveness, my lack of focus and Godly perspective, the world, Satan, etc. You name it, and I’ve been derailed. 

As I searched for answers, God started by softening my heart through the years and showed me that I needed to separate the sin from the person. I used to find excuses not to spend time with them. Like they were contagious. I thought they would think that I was okay with their sin if I spent time with them. Really? What about my sin? How is that loving them? Well, I know it’s not. What God did was change my heart. He kept bringing me biblical truth through scripture, devotionals, Bible studies, and prayer. There are so many examples in the Bible to show me how to love. Jesus being the greatest of them all. Sacrificing himself for you and me!

I started by trying to be available to them. Available with a listening ear, showing kindness, sometimes being silent, laughing and crying with them, praying for and with them, having empathy, asking God to give me a heart of love and openness.

So each day I try to read my Bible, do a devotional or Bible study, pray, listen and acknowledge our precious awesome Creator throughout the day and continue my journey on learning to love God, myself, and my neighbors. Needless to say I will be on this journey until my last breath on this earth. It’s a good thing God is patient and merciful with me. It’s a good thing I have God on my side, the Creator of you, me and the universe! I can say, "Jesus I need you." I can cry out to Him at any given moment, "Let your Holy Spirit take over me, guide me, direct me and fill me up!" I have faith that He is and will continue getting through to me as long as I make myself available to Him. I am strong in the Lord when I allow Him in. I have nothing to fear because God is with me always. He will give me the words when I need to speak, ears when I need to listen, a teachable heart and a heart of love, empathy, patience, and mercy for whatever circumstance I am in. My desire is to to always be open and available to God as he teaches me how to love and live out His love.

Have you heard of the expression of being stuck in an “echo chamber?" Have you ever been accused of being in one? Well, I hope not because it was an accusation, not a compliment.

For those of us who aren’t familiar with the term, allow me to break out some Wikipedia on you: “In discussions of news media, an echo chamber refers to situations in which beliefs are amplified or reinforced by communication and repetition inside a closed system and insulated from rebuttal...Echo chambers may increase social and political polarization and extremism.”

Wow, none of that sounds good unless you’re someone who is afraid of mixing in any new ideas.

On the other hand, echo chambers are very useful when you are looking for pure sound. Recording artists know this well because it allows for unobstructed recordings.  

For the rest of us however, being in an echo chamber can indicate fear of ideas, a closed mind, self-flattery…none of which is ideal for Kingdom builders. Isn’t being open-minded a fundamental disposition of the Believer? How else could we have heard the call of our Great Father?

The other day I was accused of living in an echo chamber by someone who is very close to me. Ouch. Oh man that hurt (it was crushing, actually). Hearing those words attributed to me makes my skin crawl. So, if you want to get under my skin, now you know how.  

As much as I detest echo chambers, I can’t help but know that I have been in them at times throughout my faith journey, especially during my “infant” and “toddler” years. I would hear or come to some Bible interpretation and protect that understanding as if it was a helpless baby. Until I had a sense that my understandings could hold up to all scrutiny, I would shield myself from opposing ideas. While there is some utility in doing that in a moment, it’s no way to live.

The Church can be, and has at times become, as much of an an echo chamber as MSN, CNN, or Fox News can be. However, if we are charged with bringing a fresh gospel to those outside of the church, we cannot afford to do that. Our message - God’s message - will not be heard and taken seriously if it comes from our insulated bubble perspective. As Bible translators and teachers (of which we all are on some level), we need to be familiar with and engaged in the secular world’s ideas if we are going to combat them. 

Make no mistake, the secular world can be an echo chamber too. So, don’t get stuck there either. The cost is your very soul. There, the rule is all ideas are on the table and discernment about ideas is out! Everything is okay if “you are living your true self.” This sounds eerily like what Adam and Eve did in the garden. This is a reckless place to live.

So, how do we find some balance in how we evaluate all ideas without getting caught in any echo chamber? 

From cliché: “Be open-minded, but not so open-minded that your brain falls out.”  

From Scripture: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” Romans 12:2 ESV.

There is a battle for hearts and minds. Ideas are our weapons.   

Be a thinker of God’s Word to us. That means being a reader and listener. Be a student, then be a teacher. Be a communicator of discernment. When the world’s ideas come crashing down (as they surely will), be in position to lift those who are falling down with them. Those folks need to know what you know.

Rarely in life are we offered the opportunity to press reset. Covid has been difficult on a variety of levels as we have all experienced. Yet, it has provided me with an unusual ‘gift’ of sorts; a chance to take stock of my schedule, priorities and involvement--in other words, how I’ve been living my life and is it working.  

By this June, my summer calendar was full of wonderful gatherings. As I proceed into the fall I see the same dynamic beginning to unfold. I’m feeling anxious. Over the summer, I was happy to be reconnecting with family and friends, but now I’m realizing I am falling back into my old habit of a too-busy lifestyle of living without margins. Some days my life feels like one great big to-do list that never ends. In truth, I rather liked my Covid life. I continued to go into work daily and maintained regular contact with my bubble. Since our options were few my life was more simple. I wasn't contending with distractions and noise. I was working on developing a rhythm of connecting with God as I endeavored to build practices of spiritual formation, because I had the time.

I want to live a life of purpose and intention, but I also want, rather I need, to have margins for rest, renewal, and re-centering. I am not very good at taking care of myself. At times, the old distortions from the past can pester causing me to think it’s selfish. All of my involvements are good, some very good, and many fun (and I am all about fun), which is part of the challenge. It means I have to say “no” to good things so I can focus on the best things for me at this time. To move forward: 

• I’m I willing to stay in the tension this creates?   
• Am I willing to take the time required to investigate the answers the deeper questions require?      
• Am I staying busy so I can avoid feeling: pain, fear, loss, affection?    
• Am I saying yes due to FOMO “Fear of missing out?" Now that feels shallow. 

As our world moves faster and faster and throws more and more at us: more information, changes, new technologies, discoveries, turmoil, and divisions, I find encouragement in the bedrock of scripture and the One who oversaw its recording. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let them ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given them." I love these words. God loves me to come to him with my schedule. He never laughs at my quandaries and FOMO’s. For me, this balanced lifestyle stuff is a work in process, a long process. God knows my end from the beginning. He promises to direct my path as I lean into Him and spend time with Him. I'm working on learning to hear His reply.

Two weeks ago I found myself in a funk. Despite my generally positive life circumstances, I was seriously contending with a spirit of discouragement within myself. Hope felt elusive. Doubt and pessimism fought to be the primary voices in my head. My overall disposition was undoubtedly a combination of many things: spiritual warfare as I was starting a new ministry with young adults last week, self-doubt, weariness, and feeling overwhelmed by the needs of so many around me. I felt like I was very alone in a dark cloud. 

Then God…

Then God…placed me in a workshop with other church leaders from across the city last Thursday. 
At the end of the workshop as we worshiped, they asked anyone who was feeling a lack of hope to raise their hand. It was hard, but I closed my eyes tight, raised my hand, and felt the power of Christian brothers and sisters (who I did not know) laying hands on me, supporting me, and praying for the restoration of hope in my life. At the end, one young woman also approached me with a personal word she felt like God had for me. I felt raw afterwards and the cloud continued to pervade my spirit, but I also felt so deeply attended to by God’s people.

Then God…gave me close female friends and prayer partners that meet monthly to pursue Jesus and uphold one another in prayer.  
As we met on Saturday and I shared how I was feeling, they reminded me that our God has often been described as residing in a dark cloud. (Just read Exodus.) Instead of expecting God to be far off because of how I was feeling, I found myself now looking within my cloud for his presence and his work in me. The fresh perspective kindled a spark of hope.

Then God…set me within a church small group. 
As I shared about my cloud with my small group on Monday, others also began sharing about their own personal fights with hopelessness, darkness, weariness, and apathy. I wasn’t alone in this. Others understood what I was going through and were there to support and walk with me through it. That makes a difference.

Then God…gifted our church with an elder team who makes supporting and encouraging its staff a priority. 
As I was invited into their meeting on Tuesday, these godly men spoke words and prayers of affirmation, love, appreciation, and support and built this sister up. Cloud or no cloud, these men have my back not only in their leadership but in their love. 

So why do I tell you these things? It certainly isn’t to describe some definitive way to shake off depression and despair. In fact, this cloud of mine, it’s still hanging around. The point is two-fold. First, God is so very present in our dark clouds even when we can’t see or sense him. I think knowing that makes a difference. Second, we need each other. There is a reason that our mission statement as a church is “helping people follow Jesus together.” I needed the strangers at the workshop, my prayer group ladies, my small group, and the elder team this past week. Each were prearranged by my good God to minister to my spirit as I had needed. He’s amazing!

But it’s also exactly how God has designed the Church to be. Did you know there are 59 “one another” commands in the New Testament, directives on how we are to act towards another person? At a minimum, my four encounters last week each clearly illustrated one major “one another.”

• The workshop believers obeyed the command to “pray for each other.” (James 5:16)
• My prayer group ladies observed the beautiful directive to “instruct one another.” (Romans 15:14)
• My church small group took up the call to “carry each other’s burdens.” (Galatians 6:2)
• And the elders took to heart the scriptures where we are told to “encourage each other and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Through these 59 “one anothers,” God thoroughly conveys how important how we relate to one another is. I would encourage you to review the 59 “one anothers” this week, and ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to be a “then God” example for someone else. And for those of you residing in a cloud right now, know you are not alone. I’m praying for you this week. May you be able to look back next week and see your own “then God” moments. 

I am so grateful to be able to share with my church family! I have been so blessed by all of the loving care and concern and support over many years and especially over these past couple of years while my husband, Patrick, was hospitalized and at Maryville. God bless you abundantly!
 
Most of us have written and received those yearly Christmas or Easter letters that highlight the list of activities and accomplishments of our life and, in many cases, the glowing wonders of our growing little ones and/or adult children. Often, we only write the good stuff.
 
As I scanned my journal and thought through many things I would love to share, I wondered how I could share a heart that (only by God’s grace) generally overflows with the gifts of the glory, the joy, the goodness, and the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father, without glossing over things that may not be, or feel, so glorious. How can I share His goodness to me but not lose sight of my struggles, my questions, my doubts, my emotional times, my learning - thank you Sara - that not only does God forgive me for my regrets, but that I must forgive myself and release those things that would hinder or weigh me down. And though, as children of God, we have total victory to cast down in the name of Jesus any of Satan's tactics, I don’t want to neglect recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare from the evil one.  
 
I continue to pray that Jesus, His Spirit, would continue to give me an awareness to “think about my thinking” and give me the ability and desire to take every thought captive, casting down any thoughts that are not in agreement with the truth of God’s words of assurance, protection, comfort, and His unconditional acceptance, forgiveness, and love. When we have negative thoughts that Satan loves to confirm such as, "Who do I think I am? I can't. I'm not worthy. I don’t know if God even hears me. I am not that important. I don’t have the looks, my words wouldn’t help, they wouldn’t matter, that person must not like me," those thoughts are NOT from God. Cast those thoughts down and ask God to bring His truth to your mind to counter the lie.
 
The prayer of my heart for myself and for each of you is that God will receive the glory for continuing to transform me and you into His likeness. I pray that we would be compelled by His love to feed on, and be in, His Word.
 
Here are some verses I recently journaled and would like to share with you:

• “Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O Lord have done it.” - Psalm 109:27. I am grateful that you, Lord, continue to build my trust in you. 
   
• "You encourage me and lift me up. You bestow…pour out, glory and honor on me and you are the gentle lifter of my head. You take care of me and carry me when needed." - Verses, some personalized, from Psalm 3 and Isaiah 46.
   
• "My heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord" - Psalm 112:7.

• "Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds. And his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast forever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness…to him belongs eternal praise!" - Psalm 111.

• "Let the name of the Lord be praised. Who is like our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with the princes…Praise the Lord." - Psalm 113.

After writing these verses and some others, the Spirit filled my heart with words of praise, which I wrote to my Father. 

"Lord, I give you praise. You are my joy, my peace, my comfort, my guide, my steadfast love, my helper, provider, grace-giver, the one who grows me, the one who transforms me into your likeness. Your grace, love, and your faithfulness are the Anchor of my soul, the Rock of my foundation. I am your child. You are my Father who is full of mercy, grace and loving-kindness. 

I thank you. I exalt your name. I bless your name. I give you glory and praise. Yours is the name above every name. At your feet every knee will bow and every person confess with their tongue that you are Lord. 

I give you thanks for your presence, your Spirit living in me, that you dwell with me, in me, and I in you. I am so blessed by you. I am so grateful to you, my Father God, to be your child, your daughter. At great cost you gave your life and rose from the grave to give me eternal life. 

Father give me ears to hear your voice, eyes to see your truth and a heart that trusts in your love. In the name of the Atonement Lamb, Jesus, Amen."
 
I love the time I spend with my Father journaling each day. If you have never tried it, I think you would find it a blessing. I journal verses God highlights, and I also journal my concerns, including people God has placed in my life. I journal my thinking, “my processing” of questions, and life issues. I intentionally write and share those things with the Lord. Things often become clearer as I write them.
 
May God bless every one of us as we lean in and gain a deeper realization and understanding of his great love.

First and foremost, I love the Lord and may all the glory be His in heaven and earth. When I was asked to write something for our church newsletter, my first reaction was joy shortly followed by a feeling of anxiety. How was I going to narrow down my thoughts and feelings about my faith in about one page, because God has such a BIG place in my heart and mind, and the Bible is filled with so much wisdom and hope? I thought it would take at least a few pages to convey what I wanted to say, but, in the end, joy overcame anxiety and what you read in the following blog is my attempt at putting into about 650 words what words ultimately fail to adequately describe.

Over the years, I have heard many wonderful sermons and one that frequently comes back to memory is one I heard about thirteen years ago at my old church in Orange County, California. Chuck Smith was the pastor, and one gem he spoke about was how the church congregation today is a descendant of the last supper Christ had with the apostles before the Christian church began. He taught that each Sunday when we gather together, we are continuing what began so long ago with Christ in that small upper room. As I was sitting in GPBC on a warm, sunny Sunday in the beginning of September, I remembered his sermon. And it struck me what a profoundly awesome thing this is. The fact that Christ was born and lived a perfect life, leading by example, and teaching what it means to truly love and sacrifice...And then before his crucifixion, he doesn’t share his mission with just one other person, but he shares it with twelve! And in doing this, Jesus taught us that we need each other to make God’s love and grace known to the world; that we cannot do it on our own, especially back when the apostles were alive and the early Christian church was being born. Those first Christians died as martyrs for what they believed, and I have no doubt that the Lord gave them strength, as well as faith, that they shared with their fellow Christians. 

So, while sitting in church this past September Sunday, listening to the beautiful voices sing in glory to our heavenly Father, I thought about the past few years and the struggles we have had to go through. And those we will continue to deal with in life. But, I also thought about how we are a continuation of a small group of friends who sat around a modest meal, listening to the humble, loving, wise, and beautiful Jesus Christ. And I can relate to how they must have felt: confusion, fear, hope, love, joy, anxiety, trepidation. Probably every emotion we are capable of. Only now, the tables are turned in a way. It is not Jesus I have these feelings about, but sometimes it is the world I live in that I feel this way about. And I am reminded every Sunday (and also throughout the week), when listening to all of your beautiful voices, seeing your wonderful smiles, hugs and pats on the back, and talking to Butch, and Traynor, and Greg, and Lynn, and Keith and each one of you, I’m reminded that it was God's infinite love and grace through Jesus Christ that makes this possible. That makes everything possible. And how it was God’s awesome plan for us to be part of something so wonderful, and infinite, and awesome, that words can't really describe. But I hope I have given at least a satisfactory description of what it means to me to be a Christian and to be a part of something infinite and profound.

Back in mid June, Betty and I brought home an eight-week old Goldendoodle puppy! We named her Bailea, and now it begins. For those of you who might not know, a puppy has lots of energy at times, loves to explore new things, and has very sharp little teeth that sometimes bite fingers and hands.

She has lots to learn! She needs to be taught the right way to live. Treats and positive reinforcement are a great tool. Sometimes it takes discipline, discipline in love. Bailea is so excited, amazed, and curious about so many new things. We give unconditional love and patience to her in spite of her playful, funny, and sometimes destructive antics.

As with Bailea, we as Christians have a lot to learn! Jesus gives us unconditional love and patience despite our antics. He helps us grow through discipline, discipline in love.

Meanwhile there is still much going on in our lives these days. The health concerns, restrictions, changes, and uncertainty from the pandemic are still here. We have been through a lot for over a year and a half. In the meantime, we still have the things in our lives that existed before the pandemic.

Besides the regular load we have in our day-to-day lives, we still have other things happen. A new baby, the death of a family member, the loss of a job or a promotion, newly married or going through a divorce, and many other things that are a heavy weight on us. This difficult weight, in addition to our regular life, can be overwhelming.

Men, I would like to address this with you. I struggle at times with the feeling I am supposed to be strong and deal with all things myself. In other words, I feel I don’t need help. But I have extra issues that come up that burden me, keeping me from carrying out the work God has for me. Jesus teaches us many things. One of these things occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was talking with his Father about his anxiousness, fears, emotions, and the heavy weight on his shoulders. It was a safe place for him to express his feelings one-on-one, without being judged and without things being solved for him. After this time, he went on to carry out what work God had for him to do. If Jesus - going through some heavy stuff - is able to express deep feelings and work through them, then when life brings difficult or heavy things into our lives, in addition to taking it to Jesus, would it not help us to have the support of a Christian brother to walk alongside us, offering one-on-one, confidential and non-judgmental, distinctively Christian care?

Just as God has love and patience for us, many of us in turn have a desire to serve others with unconditional care through Stephen Ministry. GPBC has brothers and sisters who have been trained in providing distinctively Christian care. They are not counselors; they are Stephen Ministers who are available to you. Please reach out if we can come alongside you in this way: stephenministry@pdxchurch.org.

Jesus loves us and shows up in many ways in our lives!

Do you attend Greater Portland Bible Church? Or are you a part of the body of Christ at Greater Portland Bible Church? You might be asking, "What is the difference? Aren’t they the same thing?" Not really.

In my years growing up in the church, I attended every chance I could get because it was my social network and the place where I learned about God. But for many of those years I was not acting as a part of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12 says that we are all parts of the body of Christ. Some may be an eye, some a hand, some a mouth, some a big toe, but all parts of the same body. And as parts of the body of Christ, we all have our part to play. If I am a hand and I do not participate as a hand, how will I get food into my mouth to sustain my life? If I am a big toe, I am necessary to maintain balance for the rest of the body.  

I have been a part of five churches. It is never easy to leave one church and start to attend another. It has been easy to sit in the seat on Sunday morning and feel sorry for myself because I am lonely. It is easy to watch other people interact with each other and to feel like I am an outsider and will never fit in. I am an introvert and as such I do not make friends easily or fast. Over the years, I have discovered that if I expect other people to come to me, I will be waiting a long time. All people have their comfort zone, even in the church. They have the people that they know well and tend to gravitate toward on Sunday morning. So where does that leave introverted people like me? Sitting in the seat feeling sorry for myself? Yes, I have spent some time doing that. My focus was on what I was getting out of the church. It did not make me feel like I was a part of the body of Christ because I was not participating in the body.

Several years ago, I was helped to understand that even as an introvert I could participate in the body of Christ in my church. I realized that I needed to make an effort to get to know other people in the church. How? By becoming a part of a Sunday School class (even as an adult). By going to a Women’s Bible Study. By becoming a participant in a small group. By volunteering in the church office, in the Food Pantry, or in the Nursery. All it took was one small step on my part to get to know others in a new way. Yes, it was scary at first because I did not know anyone. I had to be vulnerable and be open to sharing my needs and even my successes. But very soon I was welcomed into the conversation of the group and began to become a part of the body of Christ at GPBC.

Paul uses the description of the body to help us understand that we are part of each other in Christ Jesus. Jesus instituted the church for the well being of each person in the body. We need each other. To encourage and be encouraged. To correct and be corrected. To comfort and be comforted. To care for and be cared for. I encourage each of you to read 1 Corinthians 12 this week to see how being a part of the Body of Christ is so much better than just attending Greater Portland Bible Church. There are many opportunities to be a part of Christ’s body here so get out of your seat and come join us. We will welcome you.

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power." 1 Corinthians 2:2-5

At GPBC, we want a “demonstration of the Spirit’s power” to come from inside the walls of our faith family home and OUT into the neighborhoods, parks, businesses, homes, communities, city of Portland and world all around us! We want to help people follow JESUS together!!!  

One of the primary ways we invite “a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” is through prayer. PRAYER IS KINGDOM MISSION SERVICE! As we pray, we go with the Holy Spirit and we get the Holy Spirit out ahead of us so that we know that all faith that comes “does not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”    

This Community Sunday, we are going to GET OUT and SERVE together, working side by side and using Prayer as our Kingdom Tool! 

We will begin our service in the auditorium and then everyone will have an opportunity to Get Out and Serve by choosing one of the below service teams, each of which will have designated prayer times, Bible verses that engage our children and families, and opportunities for community connections. We will serve for about 45-50 minutes. We will then regroup in the auditorium for a short wrap up time and then take our picnic lunches out to the lawn. Please consider bringing some extra for any visitors that may join us.  
And if you are out of town this week or joining us from home, there is a Prayer Walk Template for you to use wherever you are!!

Let’s PRAY now for “a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” in and with us on Sunday, so we may see faith that rests on the power of God grow in us and out from us into our neighbors, into Portland and into this whole world for Jesus’ Glory!

Your Community Sunday Team

I don’t know about all of you, but God has been working on my heart so much during this Nehemiah: A Story of Restoration series. Each week as I pray, study, prepare, and write, it seems God has been working on my own heart through it all.

When I first went through Nehemiah in my youth, I failed to see all that God was doing. I thought, “Oh, this is a book about a renovation project that only handymen will understand.” I lazily glanced over it just to chalk it up to “having read” a book in the Bible. 

It wasn’t until I studied Nehemiah in Bible college that God really opened my eyes to what he was really restoring, and it has been one of my favorite books since then. My prayer and hope are that we don’t miss what God was really restoring and how he was restoring it.  

What was God restoring?  

God was restoring his people back to himself. The Israelites had an on again/off again relationship with God. When they really needed God, they would cry out and God would always hear them and answer their cries. Then, almost immediately, the people would turn away from God and go back to false idols and away from his commandments. God still loved his people and started to restore his relationship with his people.

How was God restoring the relationship with his people?

The relationship was restored first by the presence of God. It is clear to see how God’s hand was upon Nehemiah and the Israelites. God’s presence reignited their heart for the Word of God and that led to worshipful hearts that drove them to a deeper prayer life.  

Wow! Being with God radically changes us!

Church, the same God that had a heart of restoration for a people that had turned away from him time and time again is the same God that has a heart of restoration for you. His presence is always with you. His love is always for you.

As a church, let that truth drive us deeper in a relationship with God. Let’s have hearts that worship in everything that we do. Let’s dive into the Word of God daily and be changed. Let’s continually be in prayer and listening to God speak. 

What do I see? Baby chicks hatching! Hot brown grass, screaming, thirsty for want of water...summer chores awaiting...and thinking about meeting my four brothers and sisters. What will I see? It’s been almost two years since my younger sister, my two older brothers and another sister have been together. I am looking forward to looking them in the eye and seeing. I long to take a full measure of their faces, their hearts and spirits: how has this season of isolations and separations traced its way into their lives?   

You see we look forward to the end of each decade with a special yearning, anticipating celebrating another decade of life and familial love. We are all close. There’s a special week between late August and early September where all of us share the same age: 2010 found us all in our fifties. So here came 2020: my baby sister JoJo just turning 60 and my oldest brother trailblazing into the 70’s on his September 4th birthday. But Covid broke that multi-decade tradition. But next week, Susan and I will be on our way to see them all!

Most years, we would just drive up the I-5 corridor to Bellingham, Washington, an hour’s pause before the Canadian border. But it seems fitting to reconsider how we best might travel. What might we see differently and experience with a deeper appreciation due to the last many months? Our perception has changed how we view life. Our perception and value of time has tilted towards more urgency. Our heart for those around us has moved slightly away from what was routine.  

I am looking at a map showing ways to travel to the northern parts of Washington state. The long peninsula to the west and the small hamlet of Port Townsend has caught my eye. There’s a blue-aqua line skimming across the waters in the Strait of Juan De Fuca. It marks a ferry boat route from the peninsula to Whidbey Island. I remember as a child crossing a bridge from this island to Mt. Vernon. That’s it. This route will bypass all the asphalt and congestion of Portland, Vancouver, Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle and Everett. I imagine salt-water inlets, orca pods, islands, and cooler, ocean-fed breezes pushing us along to see my family. It will be worth the time when I consider the older, traditional freeway slog.

That bridge we will drive over from Whidbey Island to the mainland safely arches 180 feet over one of the most dangerous passages of water in all the San Juans. The narrow channel offers one of the quickest passage out into the Islands. But the volume of water and tides create an impossible swirl of whirl pools and eddies. One captain describes, “Two million cubic feet of water rush through the pass at peak flow per second. One cubic foot of seawater weighs about 64 pounds. So, at peak flow, more than 127 million pounds of seawater, or nearly 64,000 tons, flow through Deception Pass per second. To put those numbers in perspective, that is about eight times more water than the average flow of the Columbia River.” Dangerous waters unseen below!

Why share all this? It puts me in mind of Ezra and Nehemiah. Their journey and lives flavored by travel and new tasks ahead of them. When Ezra praises God for His favor in the midst of their struggle to reestablish God’s prescribed means of worship, I hear an echo of all that Greg’s been sharing. God sees us! He is for us! He will be our safe passage.

Marcus is leading our youth through the book of Ezra as a parallel study of this Israeli remnant returning from captivity. Ezra prays the following prayer: “But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold within his holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our slavery. For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem. (Ezra 9:8-9 ESV)"

I see the praise for God’s favor, calling a small group of people to Himself, blessing these people with security and blessing them with the means to endure the current form of enslavement. There’s a sweet praise to God for His steadfastness in that ever-present love. The prayer describes a brightening of the eyes: a picture of being fed in such a way that there’s health both physically and spiritually. As to the slavery, I am quickly put in mind of my own shackles to my old sin nature. I can trace the ruins and scars of past selfish choices but know Jesus is repairing my heart, mind, body and soul, as surely as Ezra’s crew repaired the temple and Nehemiah’s crew rebuilt the walls. There’s protection in their place. And am I not now the greatest benefactor of His protection...and into all my future, into His eternal place? Isn’t His protection offered to all of us from today and into His perfect future, for us all? And why? Ezra’s prayer holds the hint of the better. God has not forsaken us in our slavery: God’s extended steadfast love came in Jesus living the perfect life, becoming the perfect sacrifice, and guiding our very souls out of the death-currents of sin’s hold.   

Most people in my life seem to be more in the rough waters, swirling between beliefs, fears, circumstance, personal wounds and pitfalls; all caught up in the world’s whirlpools and eddies. Impossible forces are exerting unbelievable pressure on every part of their minds, bodies and souls. While above, a safe bridge of passage awaits; a span clear of any splash or hidden death. Jesus is our span. Jesus is our hope; Father’s best provision.   

What do I see? An opportunity to share with all that there’s a way out of the torrents that overwhelm the soul. What do I perceive? God has placed an urgency in this new season to measure His favor and seek to share His better plan with those who need to hear. Will I act my part in reviving other’s hope? Will I risk revisiting the traditional ways of the past and allow Jesus’ spirit to reign, to move in His new leading?

The family gathering is a year delayed, but is now coming. I know that I will be a different brother. I will see with a sharper perception. I will be loving, listening and sharing the more important things. I pray we all feel the touch of Jesus tracing a better future for us all!  

By Ty Andersen--

Since becoming a Christian 32 years ago, I have sought God in an attempt to make sense of the world and how I can fit in The Big Picture. My most recent method of processing the Word of God - consuming it more frequently - has led me on an exhilarating ride that bends my mind and soul. When studying books of the Bible that I have studied previously, I often say to myself, “How did I miss this?” The Lord keeps revealing himself to me in ways I don’t expect.  

In my past I perceived much of Leviticus-Numbers-Deuteronomy as white noise. Now I’m seeing those books in ways that are clear and make sense. Here are some observations:

• The sin of envy is often overlooked in today’s culture; however, Numbers 12 demonstrates how determined God was to fully eradicate it. James 3:13-18 reinforces this.
• One of the Lord’s greatest promises is found in Deuteronomy 18:15-21.
• Deuteronomy 23:15-16 demonstrates how the Word of God was millennia ahead of its time in terms of human rights.
• Deuteronomy 29:29 is currently one of my favorite verses. It gives me peace and is how I am attempting to approach my everyday life. 

Reading the Old Testament often makes me feel uncomfortable because of its brutality and how my own life parallels the journey of the Israelites. A passage that is strongly resonating with me is Deuteronomy 30:10-20. It teaches that us that we cannot confront the universe by following our own ways. If we do not trust and obey God, the universe will devour us. We will surely be crushed into oblivion. It is only though obedience and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that we can surpass our limitations and make peace with the cosmos. 

By Joyce Wachsmuth--

This past week our grandson Caleb, who is nineteen years old, participated in the Half Iron Man Race in Salem, Oregon. The race is a long distance triathlon of 70.3 miles, which includes 1.2 miles of  swimming, 56 miles of biking, and 13.1 miles of running. It was such a privilege to cheer him along the way and to be there when he finished the race. Since our son, Ted, has done two of these races; one in Hawaii and the other in Idaho, it was such a joy to see them embrace each other as Caleb finished the race. There were two thousand runners from all over the United States and the world and, as spectators, it was exciting to cheer all the runners, especially at the finish line. This was the first time that the Half Iron Man Race was in Oregon.

As we were cheering Caleb at the finish line, I couldn’t help but think of the scripture in Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith.”  We were witnesses of Caleb being in the race and finishing the race. To hear his name being called at the finish line and to witness his overwhelming feeling of completion, I was full of joy for him. In preparation for the race, he had to train daily for the swim, the bike ride and the run. Before the race, he had to get a good night’s rest and eat the right kinds of food. As I looked at all the runners, their outfits were well-fitted to their bodies without any extra weight because that would hinder their race. The runners knew where the finish line was, and their focus was on finishing.

As a runner, Caleb kept the goal of finishing the race even when it became difficult. He persevered! I can relate to Caleb because 15 years ago Doug and I did the Portland Marathon. Doug and I began the training 7 months before the race but on the day of the race, 18 miles into the race, I developed a huge blister on my foot and almost didn’t finish the race. It took perseverance, the Lord providing a paramedic who bandaged my blister, and another runner who gave me a Tylenol for me to be able to complete the walk! It was a slow walk, but I finished with Doug, my husband, by my side and with our son, Ted and daughter-in-law, Stephanie, encouraging me to finish the race. Besides preparing for a race, it was with the help of others that I was able to complete the race. In the race of life, we need others. We cannot do it alone. We need the help of others. When I finished the race, there were family and friends who cheered us to the finish line.

In the same way, as followers of Christ our goal is to finish well in our marathon of life by throwing off “everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” What are the areas that hinder our walk with Jesus? Are there sins that can easily derail us in our walk? Personally, I need to daily assess my relationship with Jesus through my time with him as I pray, read, and meditate on the Word of God. Many times it is going to Jesus and confessing my sins. Life has its challenges, and I need to remind myself to persevere and rely on Jesus and my community of believers. Others can cheer us on to the finish line!

The apostle Paul encourages us to finish well. He saw life as a race and he encouraged the Ephesian elders, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me…the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace”  Acts 20:24.

You may not ever experience a marathon or a Half Ironman race, but if we fix our eyes on Jesus, we will complete the race of our life with the help of Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith. As we cross the finish line of life, Jesus will say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant!”

PS: Remember to sign up for the August Home Gatherings. For those who are camping, have a wonderful time!

By Paul Hill--

During the campout of 2019, I was sitting at a table with Wayne and Paulette Williams, and Marilynn Linscheid. Someone proposed that I take the helm of the campout. The previous person had taken on other responsibilities, and announced ending any involvement. I've held numerous leadership responsibilities over the years, but not a campout. Besides, although I'd participated in church campouts for decades, this was only my second with GPBC. With my wife Myrna's blessing, I said, "Well, OK."

To me, church campouts are an important time to make new friends and deepen existing relationships. To leave it there would be selling it short. As followers of Christ, we need to be in relationships that encourage each other to grow spiritually, come alongside folks that are hurting or going through hard times, inspire one another to use our talents and gifts as a form of worship, and so on. We can only do those things after we've built trust and familiarity, and that takes spending time together.

Camping is not the be all and end all, but friendships and relationships have to start somewhere. Recreating and spending time together gives us the opportunity to make that start. From there, participating in small groups, serving alongside others in various ministries, and exercising hospitality take relationships to deeper levels.

Camping together as a church is inter-generational. I have been introduced to youth I would never have had a chance to interact with otherwise. Priceless.

For all the above reasons, I would like to see the campout become a much more important part of the GPBC culture. It would also be nice to extend the weekend for those that can take the extra time. Many are making reservations directly with Clackamas county for Thursday, arriving a day early.

This year, the campout is a sellout. Many are first-time attendees. Take the extra effort to reach out to folks you don't know. Lend assistance to those less familiar with camping. Help folks with the river float, and navigating to the potluck on Saturday. Give a hand to campsite setup and tear down.

Whether you are attending or not, please pray for the weekend. Pray for safety, pray that we would be a good witness towards those around us, and pray that relationships will be initiated and deepened across all generations.

As an aside, if someone asks you to become involved with something, please don't say no just because you've never done it before. Recognize others may see potential in you that you don't see in yourself. It may be the vehicle of development in areas God intends for even greater use. You don't have to be perfect, you never will be. Pray that it's God's desire, find others to help, rely on God for strength and wisdom, and get better with time.

See you July 30!

This past year God got my full attention and answered the cry of my heart, which is to have opportunity to share my faith in a practical way with those He reveals to me.  

In January we were able to respond to the need of a young woman who was in a difficult situation and invited her to come live with us. She was with us for 5 1/2 months and during that time I had a captive audience….to love, encourage and share the Gospel.  Needless to say, we all dealt with fear on some level, but my young friend was more fearful than most. I used this time to dig into the Word day and night through the app “Daily Audio Bible”. I loved that I was able to feed on His Word day and night, pray along with others around the world and be ready to encourage my friend every day. We painted, made bird houses, sewed quilts, listened to edifying music, did wood burning, cooked good food, traveled, and talked deeply about what it means to walk with Jesus. She and I continue to meet and share.

Another opportunity came in October when I began visits to a Physical Therapist twice a week. I was feeling particularly broken from all that had transpired over the summer. I had a good cry telling God I knew He was all powerful, I knew He was on the throne and in control, I knew His plans for the lost hadn’t changed, and I knew people were hurting, but I simply didn’t know where I could find these souls, since I was only going to the grocery store and to the therapist. Well, in a quiet moment, He seemed to open my eyes to the fact that I was out getting physical therapy twice a week, so how about I start there.  Hmmm. Lee (the Physical Therapist) and I had been meeting for almost two weeks and I enjoyed our conversations, but with my ‘natural eyes’ I saw him as competent, educated, and without need; however, my ‘spiritual eyes’ knew better. OK, God, I’ll join you. But, I begged Him to show me how to start a conversation. It helped knowing that God is the God of invitation, so I need to be a person of invitation.  

Boy, do I pray at times like this. I started by asking Lee, ‘tell me about your spiritual journey’. And, he did! We talked for 25 minutes, and I got to ask lots of questions, getting to know him, trying to understand his journey. He was raised Lutheran, is not a Buddhist but follows many of their teachings. I asked how he deals with the problem of sin, shared how Christ is superior, etc. Nothing too confrontational but sharing the facts. I prayed for him daily. Although our visits had ended by December, I took him a gift at Christmas and again invited him to consider getting to know more about Jesus. I began seeing Lee again for therapy in late winter and found he had begun redoing his yard, so I offered free plants and a tour of my garden. He has come to our home several times, stayed for long visits, met Mark and to my surprise, invited us to his home for dinner. So, the story continues and I’m praying about the next conversation.

The third answer to prayer is that God has opened a door to meet with a woman who is a very strong and sincere Mormon. I’ve been praying for her for nearly 38 years. She came to my home in early spring to buy some watercolor cards. She has always longed to learn watercolor, even purchased $200 in supplies, went to a class four times and quit. No! I said bring all your supplies over and I’ll help you get started. We have been painting every other week for four months and have become very close. God has put this incredible love in my heart for her and in mid-June she threw her arms around me (full-on awkward body hug, hah!) and told me, “You don’t have any idea what this really means to me.” I’m beginning to see a little of how God is working in this and have great hope that one day she will surrender to the Biblical Jesus, who is full of grace and mercy.

I thank God for answering my prayers, revealing to me where I can share my faith and for giving me courage and boldness to speak on His behalf.

Do you see clearly?
 
Wearing glasses is relatively new for me. What I notice most are the smudges and scratches, not the subject of my interest in the distance! I am distracted. My focus is shortened to the bridge of my nose. Talk about short sighted!  

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb 11:1).  Two key words, assurance (promise) and conviction (unwavering belief), describe faith. Faith changed the lives of the saints mentioned in the Hall of Faith because they could clearly see their goal in the distance. They persevered in and through all their doubts, questions, fears, disappointments, hardships and persecutions through faith. They had faith in the future promises of their God, having seen His faithfulness through past generations! They were looking forward to a better place! Has faith changed you in the same way?  

Wearing glasses is like becoming a Christian. We believed and had faith; we thought we were getting rose-colored glasses that would make all things beautifully clear! What we found… smudges and scratches! Oh, glasses help us see, but not quite the way we expected. The difference between smudges and scratches? Smudges are the things we can change - the shows we watch, the music we listen to, how we spend our time, and what we choose to think about. Scratches we cannot change - disease and illness, the things others do or say to us, and circumstances that affect us, like COVID.  
 
Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to enter the Hall of Faith, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”

The smudges are weights we carry and sins we pursue. These distract from what is important. What truly builds our faith is developing our personal relationship with God. The saints of old had regular set times and practices to remind them of their God and His faithfulness.  

It is difficult to keep the smudges off. How do we do this? Just like the saints of old, through planned, consistent effort. Reading the Word of God and talking with our Heavenly Father daily keeps the smudges cleaned off. We must also protect against scratches. Weekly study of the Bible and submission to His Holy Spirit minimizes the scarring or scratches in our lives and enables us to see beyond our nose! Until I clean my glasses and focus through the scratches, I cannot see the goal in the distance.

In faith, will you clean and protect your glasses with me? As we do, we will see clearly what is beyond. Ah, finally I see what I was supposed to be focused on: Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, in all His glory!

Do you clearly see?  

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

Being a follower of Christ since I was young, I have been aware of the many promises God has given that we can find in Scripture. But several years ago, when life began to be filled with many trials for Ed and me (numerous health concerns, financial insecurities, losses of loved ones, emotional strains….), I would read verses like James 1:12 and, to be honest, I wasn’t really excited about receiving a “crown of life” if I “stood the test” — I just wanted the test to end. I wanted a way of escape from the trial, not a way through the trial with a prize at the end.
 
Ed said something to me a while back when I was bemoaning the “problems” we were facing. He said, “They’re not problems, they’re OPPORTUNITIES." I believe he was referring to the fact that whatever we’re going through, it is those events that are an OPPORTUNITY to see God at work and enable us to live out our faith; to see whatever the challenge is as something that can mature us if we let God do His work in our lives. It recognizes that every situation has the OPPORTUNITY to bring about something positive (such as growth leading toward maturity, more trust in God, empathy with others, and especially God being glorified). How we use that OPPORTUNITY depends on whether we’re willing to let God do His perfect work in us (James 1:3,4) or if we “kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14).

In thinking about the situation depicted in the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, we see what the people of the nation of Israel were going through trying to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. We can see that the challenges they faced were daunting, and yet they continued to build the wall. It was difficult, physical work, and, as they built the wall, they were mocked by their enemies and in danger of attack. But they asked for God’s help and they kept building.

How we handle our own individual difficult times has an impact on us. And it has an effect on others who may be watching us -  often in ways we may not know. People are watching you (and me) and observing how we live our lives in the midst of challenges.  

Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t read ahead in the book of Nehemiah that we’ve been studying on Sunday mornings, you may not yet know more about the outcome of the story. In Nehemiah 6:15 & 16 we read, “So the wall was completed….When  all our enemies heard about this and all the surrounding nations saw it, they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.” The enemies recognized it was God who helped the people rebuild the wall.

May we encourage each other to face our difficult OPPORTUNITIES in such a way that we trust God to help us get the task done, whatever it is He has called you to do. Don’t give up when difficult OPPORTUNITIES present themselves in your life! God has a plan (whether or not you understand what that plan is at the time you’re presented with the challenge). How you handle that challenge may be just the OPPORTUNITY that God can use to cause others to see His glory. And wouldn’t that be worth any difficulty we face?

MAY GOD BE GLORIFIED IN HOW WE HANDLE OUR DIFFICULT OPPORTUNITIES!!

This note is a big PRAISE focused on our stewardship as a church. We are such a wonderfully generous church! We give in so many ways: our tithes for the operations of the church for our ministry locally and to our Global Partners for our worldwide ministry. We have our Benevolence Fund for special times of need that arise, and we added a temporary fund, Meet The Need, for deep financial needs due to the virus. In addition to these ministries, we support Advent Conspiracy projects and Operation Christmas Child. We also know there is so much loving and giving from person to person and within the home groups and the Sunday classes. Just WOW! I believe God is honored with our faith, love, and obedience in our giving as a church. It is such an indication of the overall maturity of our church.

What we know is that this kind of giving does not just happen. It comes from proper teaching and encouragement of the biblical principles of giving. It happens when believers are brought into a deeper relationship with the Lord.  It happens when younger believers see their older or more mature brothers and sisters give sacrificially, “But since you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you - see that you also excel in the Grace of giving” (2 Cor. 8:7 NIV).

It can be a real step of faith to say, “I'm going to start a new dimension in my faith walk. I am going to trust God and start to give to the church." It can be scary and counter intuitive, but we are told true blessings come when we have a life marked by generosity and sacrifice. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). We are not promised more money in return, as some say, but true blessing far beyond material gains. We are instructed to sacrifice in our giving. If we only give from our abundance, Jesus is not impressed! Jesus said the poor widow gave “more” then the rich, and all she gave was a couple copper coins. Jesus was impressed, not so much with the amount she gave, but with her heart that would sacrifice in her giving. Therefore we have shared and encouraged  each member or family give something, however small, to Global Partners in order to start developing the discipline of giving.

We as a church are coming out of a hard season, but we are confident as to where we are as a church. We have confidence in our God that He desires to use us here in Portland and throughout the world. We are excited to see how we as a church are growing together to fulfill our calling.

All love,

Dick

I will never forget the joy of anticipating becoming a father as we waited for the arrival of our first son, Myles, in 2008. No doubt, there is much wisdom in God’s creative design to give nine months of “prep time” before life gets completely flipped upside-down. In the final days leading up to his grand entry, my excitement grew even further as I thought about the years ahead and what life would look like from this point forward. When we finally brought our newborn home, I distinctly remember making my first trip to the grocery store to pick up a few items that Jenny had requested. Then suddenly, and a bit unexpectedly, while walking through the Fred Meyer parking lot, I was overwhelmed with the reality of my new name…Daddy! I literally started skipping through the parking lot while saying to myself, “I’m a daddy! I’m a daddy!”

Now 12 years later, and an additional two sons to our family, I am still feeling that same delight in the gift of being a father. Most recently, while spending the afternoon at Cottonwood Beach, the Lord momentarily gave me tunnel-like vision as I sat watching the three of them wrestle and splash one another in the Columbia River. And then came an impression from the Lord, “these are precious moments, Troy. Delight in them, revel them, and enjoy them.”

Understandably, not all of us have had the experience of earthly fathers who delight in us, or who reflect the Fatherly care and comfort that is ideal for our growth as people. In fact, and far too often, our earthly fathers have been the chief inflictors of deep wounds that many of us still carry through much of our lives. We all, however, do have a Father in heaven that is ever present, ever pursuing, ever healing and ever delighting in us as His beloved children. 
Zephaniah 3:17 reminds us that “The Lord your God is with you. The mighty warrior who saves. He will take great DELIGHT in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” 

Think about that for a moment…God the Father takes great delight in YOU and rejoices OVER YOU with singing! It’s breathtaking, really. Family, my prayer is that God would further reveal Himself to each of us as Father, that He would redeem what “Father” means for many of us, and that He would empower us to be “Fathers” of others in this world as we listen, comfort, and love as representatives of Jesus. 

Happy Father’s Day, and enjoy this song called “Lean Back”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1JYVUmCGKE

I have been thinking a lot about how stories are so much a part of our everyday lives. Just explore briefly in thought about how telling a story or hearing someone else’s story is such a frequent part of life. Of foremost importance and divinely impactful is recognizing that the Bible is a true story. I have been in awe of the way God’s story has been passed down, translated into new languages, shared worldwide, and will forever go where He goes. 

We encounter stories more often than we might realize. When marketers decide what to put in a commercial, they first settle on the story that they want the customer to hear. In an interview, the hiring manager is listening to your story and why they should hire you. When you see an old friend and they ask you, “What’s new?” they desire a story from you. Even in the age of advanced technology we don’t simply rely on timelines or spreadsheets, but we use summaries and dialogue to communicate the story that we want people to remember. 

When I engage in “story time” from now on, I want to be more ready than ever to share about what God is doing through me and about Jesus’ character. This has been so much on my mind because I have realized the impact stories have and have been observing how many of my own conversations go without mention of prayer or an honest account about how I have been relating to God. I haven't been including God's story in my own story! I am convicted of this, and I am looking forward to future conversations ahead.

I know not every person I see will want to hear all that I have to say, but I do want to be in tune with what God is doing in me daily. For this reason, I am thankful for an outlet like journaling and for my wife, Stephanie, who wants to walk with me every step of the way. 

As a church family, my prayer is that we will all become better storytellers and listeners, that our stories will carry the gospel onto good soil, that God would lead us into more opportunities for story time, and that we would have more story time with God alone. 

Greetings, in the powerful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Wow! “In the powerful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”  Can we really comprehend the depth of that expression? Can we really comprehend the personal and intimate love our Creator has for us? It truly is beyond me, but I’m so thankful that the more time I spend in His Word, and the more time I spend focusing on Him in music, messages, writings, podcasts, books, movies, and in conversations, the more I grow in the knowledge and love of Him.

Over the past few months, I have felt a stirring within my soul. The yearning for more of Jesus has increased, and the desire to impact others for Him is taking on new life. The Lord seems to be saying to me, “How long, Jane? How long are you going to continue to wait to be fully alive and let Me work through you in new and wonderful ways?” Do any of you hear that still small voice beckoning you to be more awake, more alive in the Lord? Is your heart and soul aching to experience more of Jesus and to love Him more? And here’s a scary part for some of us. Are you being nudged to be even more open—and bold—to tell others about Jesus?

 Many of you know or have heard of Luis Palau. He was not only one of the greatest evangelists of our time, but one of the great encouragers behind our founding pastor Lynn Kent starting Greater Portland Bible Church. I had the privilege of meeting and seeing Luis a few times, and was always inspired (and humbled) by his amazing love for the Lord and his desire to lead others to Him. After Luis passed away in March, I watched the movie Palau for the first time. It stirred my heart. One of my favorite scenes was when in response to a guest speaker sharing, “It wasn’t me doing something for God, it’s God doing something through me,” Luis went to his room, got on his knees and prayed so passionately, “…Now I understand it is not my strength, or my strategies, or my desire, Lord. It is you acting through me. It is you living in me, Lord…Lord, forgive me for wasted time…use me to spread your word…use me Lord, so everybody sees your face in mine…For there are no limits in you, there are no failures, there is no defeat. May everything in my life glorify you, my Lord. Use me for your eternal glory.” 

Luis not only prayed that prayer, but he lived that prayer for the rest of his life. His life reflected his purpose—to be a vessel God used to reach people for Jesus. I have loved the Lord ever since I can remember, and yet as much as I have always wanted to be more for Him, to do more for Him, my life has not always reflected that. I have allowed so many things and circumstances to keep me from fully living that way. “How long, Jane?”

 We have so many humble and faithful servants in our church who do live the life of serving and drawing others to Jesus: Our pastors and elders; administrative and office staff; our children, women, and men ministry leaders and co-leaders, facilitators and teachers; adult Sunday school teachers; Global Partnership and Spiritual Formation teams; small group leaders; maintenance and custodial personnel; security team, the Food Pantry workers, Stephen Ministry, Care Ministry, Coffee Corner, Counseling, Hospitality, grounds maintenance, youth leaders, and many more people behind the scenes. All who give of their time, their lives, for a greater purpose.

Throughout my 32 years here at Greater Portland Bible Church, I have served in some of the areas listed above and have found joy in every one of them. But to be honest with myself, I want more. What I mean is, I want to be more than I have been. I want more of Jesus and I want to give more of Jesus, especially to those who do not yet know Him. Our world needs Jesus. Our country, our state, our community, our neighborhoods, our workplace, our schools, every place we touch, every person we touch, needs Jesus.  “How long, Jane?”

I may have been a slow starter (Lord forgive me for wasted time) but that doesn’t mean I can’t be a late full-bloomer through the power of God and finish well. After all, I’m still breathing, so there’s still hope. I pray that all of us who are feeling that soul stirring and who want to be more for Jesus, will spend more time with Him. The more we understand the depth of His love, the more we will love Him.  And the more we love Him, the more we will want others to know Him and love Him too. 

The stirring of our souls. May all of us experience the joy that the stirring of our soul brings.  And may those of us who have been waiting for one thing or another before we become fully alive, or fully awake, or fully ready, wait no longer.  As Luis said, “…it is not my strength, or my strategies, or my desire, Lord. It is You acting through me. It is You living in me, Lord… Use me for Your eternal glory.”  “How long, Jane?” “How about now, Lord? How about now?” 

___

We have Stephen Ministers whose passion it is to be more for Jesus.  They consider it a privilege to be able to walk alongside people who are going through a crisis or a difficult time, and be Jesus’ hands and feet to them. If you are experiencing such a time as this, please contact the church office at 503-452-9375 or email stephenministry@pdxchurch.org, and someone will contact you.

IT’s Community Sunday!!!!

Four Sundays a year we come together as a whole faith community all together in one room to Remember and Celebrate Jesus!  Our theme for this Community Sunday is:

GOD RESTORES US.

Our Community Sunday team was inspired by our study together in Nehemiah and as we leaned into the beautiful truth that:

All things and All people are the objects of God’s Love and Restoration

All of the time.

We will interact with Jesus and each other this Sunday around 3 ways that God Restores:

God Restores - Each of US

God Restores US - TOGETHER

God Restores Us – so we Restore

Please take some time with Jesus, the Holy Spirit and our Good God before Sunday to lean into these three areas for yourself.  We are all in need of God’s Love and Restoration all of the time. And all things and all people are in need of God’s Restoration now and forever through Jesus Christ.  We as his people are invited to join God in his Love and Restoration work every day.

We look forward to being together for Community Sunday and then keeping the party going afterwards with our Bring your Own Picnic Lunch on the Lawn!  

Your Community Sunday Team,

Janet, Greg, Sally, Ethan, Caris, Marcus

Hi Faith Family!

How are you? How have you been?

This week I want to share what Jesus has been reminding me these past months. Just for a moment, I invite you to take a deep breath – in and out – and let’s reflect on His words and goodness together. Feel free to take a piece of paper and pen or your phone or just yourself. Pause, reflect, look up at the sky, breathe as you need.
 
I will start by sharing a little bit of what has been going on in my life recently, and then I will share Jesus’ words that I have been thinking about, holding onto, and have been sustaining me.

I’m towards the end of my dual master’s program; I’m graduating mid-June; and my plate has been more than full since the start of the year – only now, it has multiplied ten times. In addition to other roles and responsibilities in life, I have 80-100 teaching licensing portfolio pages due this week, I have licensing exams to study for, research to complete, thesis paper to write and present, and job interviews. Just writing these… My brain and my heart are racing. I cannot help but to be anxious. I cannot help but to be worried.

What are you anxious about? What are you worried about?
 
During this time, I have been constantly contemplating on these words:
Matthew 6, ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth … but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (v19-21)

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life … Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ... your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (v25-34)

Among other things, my “treasures on earth” that have been occupying my heart and mind are: achievement, approval/acceptance of others, and job security. I want to graduate with flying colors; I want people to see me as a capable educator; and I want to get a satisfying job. First of all, it is not wrong to have such goals and to work towards such goals. The birds of the air still look for food and the lilies of the field still absorb nutrients. Jesus acknowledges this. But Jesus is also reminding us that He knows what we need, and He promises to take care of those needs: “Are you not of more value than they [birds]?...Will he not much more clothe you?...Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” He is a sovereign, powerful, and good God. He is always taking care of us.

Furthermore, it is not wrong to possess treasures of the earth. Jesus does say to not lay it all up for self. We are to use it for Jesus and to also share it with His creations. He also reminds us that these earthly treasures should not outweigh how much we value heavenly treasures – the contentment that comes from being with Jesus, the feeling of completeness and wholeness, lacking nothing. He reminds us that such heavenly treasures can give us enjoyment now, that it’s everlasting and incorruptible, unlike earthly treasures. And that the ultimate enjoyment and rest will come when we are reunited with Him. How wonderful is that?

How is Jesus reminding you of the heavenly treasures?
 
To worry about graduating with flying colors, wanting people to see me as a capable educator, and wanting to get a fulfilling job are valid worries. It is not wrong to have a sense of responsibility to accomplish these things. In this world, we have to have a job, be able to communicate, and show that we are great applicants. Jesus recognizes our anxiousness that may stem from these things: “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” He understands that we have needs to be met and the stress that each day brings. What Jesus wants us to know and live by is to not be swallowed by these worries and earthly treasures to the point that we forget who Jesus is and how much He loves and cares for us.

Jesus’ words remind me that He is sovereign over the universe; He knows what is ahead; and He is going to bring me and us to the finish line. I’m being reminded that Jesus values us, and He is going to sustain us. Furthermore, Jesus didn’t just tell us to stop worrying. He told us to replace our worry with a heart for the kingdom of God: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” To think about how to line up our purpose and everyday lives with God’s will.

So, Faith Community, let us:
Trust. Surrender. Have faith. Rest in Jesus. Be a part of His big story.
 
How is Jesus reminding you that He loves you and that He takes care of your needs and worries?
How is your story a part of God’s Big Awesome Story?
 
Wherever we are on our journey, may we be reminded that Jesus is sovereign, He knows the road ahead. He loves us. He values us. He takes care of us. He’s got us. May we also be reminded that our perfect contentment comes from being with Jesus. May we feel content as we take part in God’s amazing story.
 
What is Jesus reminding you of today?
 
Thank you for taking some time to reflect with me today. I invite you to continue to reflect and/or continue the conversation with others.
 

On February 7, 2019, I was headed to the gym in Beaverton, next to City Hall. It felt like a normal day to me. After working out, I caught the MAX to the Beaverton Transit Center to catch my bus home. Arriving at the transit center I saw my bus was about to leave. I hustled off the Max to catch my bus. In my hurried panic, I tripped on the curb and landed on the pavement. The pain in my leg stopped me from getting back up. TriMet called an ambulance to take me to the hospital. Once I reached the hospital, I had a heart attack and died. They were able to do CPR to bring me back to life. Thank you, Jesus! 
  
They said that I was in the ICU for a week. I didn't know this because they had put me in a coma. The hospital tracked down my sister, my only living sibling left in my family. She lives in Palm Springs, California and didn’t know what to do. She wrote a message on my Facebook page to reach my church family, hoping they could come see me in the hospital. All the nurses in the ICU said that I had more visitors than other patient they had seen. Pastors Wayne and Jay were there as well as many other people from church. 
  
The Bible verse that came to mind was Ecclesiastes 3:1 -2, "There is a time for everything. There is a time for everything that is done on earth. There is a time to be born. And there is a time to die." I remember going into the gates of Heaven, but God made me make a U-turn to come back to life in Portland. I remember Pastor Wayne’s words of encouragement, “God isn’t done with you yet.” God said that I have more work here to do, such as work with my AA friends and sharing the gospel with the lost.  
    
It's been over two years, and I'm still alive! When I died, my kidneys didn't come back to full life. I go in for dialysis three times a week to stay alive. I’m praying for a kidney transplant to come through for me up on Pill Hill at OHSU. Would you join me in praying for that? 
  
People are calling me a modern-day Lazarus. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in a miracle. I know that my survival is a miracle. Another miracle is that God prompted me to share my story with you today. I want to draw your attention to the words Paul wrote in Philippians 1:20-21 that captures what I am living now.

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
  
I love each and every one of you. Keep His light shining bright in your life!

Mother’s Day is approaching and I find myself thinking about my grandmother. Gram as we called her. Memories came to mind as I assisted my twelve-year-old granddaughter in sewing her first skirt. I was twelve years old when Gram taught me to sew. I still remember the blue striped dress we made and how proudly I wore it. Gram faced difficult circumstances. During the depression years she was widowed. She became a single parent to three elementary aged children, my mother and her two siblings. My mom remembers those years as times of poverty and scarcity. My grandmother trusted God and continued to care and provide for her children.

I wonder what Gram would think of the world her grandchildren, and now great, great grandchildren, are living in. The world of cell phones, email and Zoom calls. She taught school in a one room schoolhouse. Her great granddaughters have attended school at home on the computer. Times and circumstances have definitely changed. What has not changed is the Lord and His character. Hebrews 13:8 is one of my favorite scriptures, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Psalm 100:5 is another favorite, “For the Lord is good and His love endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Jesus loves me! He loved my grandmother, her children and the family I grew up in. He loves my children and grandchildren more than I do!

Looking back I can see God’s faithfulness to care and provide for Gram and her children. She must have had days of wondering how God would see her through, how He'd provide for her children, and what the future would be for her family. I had days like that when my children were small. Times of illness, loss of income, broken bones, broken hearts. God was faithful. My children are grown; my oldest grandchild is twelve and the others are elementary and preschool age. They have circumstances and challenges of their own. I’m praying for them as they navigate life. I’m watching to see how God will answer. There are going to be times, and there already are, that I won’t be able to see how God is providing or what He is doing. Nonetheless, I am going to remember He is faithful to all generations.

The impact of COVID could have easily resulted in a decrease to our giving to both the general fund and the GP fund. However, our faith community continues to be incredibly generous, and, as a result, we have been able to not only continue to support our many Global Partners (GPs) around the world, but we also added a local GP during this last year. You are amazing!

I am so thankful that GPBC is a body of Christ followers that listens to God. We are not a mega-church by any stretch of the imagination, but because of knowing and obeying Christ’s command to “go to the ends of the earth,” we are spreading the good news about Jesus around the world and across the street!

Our Global Partners have answered the call of God to go out into the field, leaving the comfort of friends and family. It is these fellow brothers and sisters, who are extensions of our local faith community, whom God has called us to support. Your Global Partner’s Team is constantly seeking God for ways to wisely use the resources you provide through your sacrificial giving. The GP budget is not a part of the general fund, but a separate budget, which we oversee and prayerfully attempt to get the most out of every dollar.

However, our support of these dear ones is not only financial! Prayer is a constant need for those out in the field. That is why we have prepared the Global Partner’s booklet listing each partner, their ministry, and their specific prayer requests. We hope you will keep them close and use them daily to strategically support our GPs. We also have a bookmark with each of the GPs to be used as a reminder to pray for them. If you do not have these tools, please check with the office, or one of the GP Team members, and we will get them to you.

Our theme this year for the GP Emphasis is “Our Sending God: Around the World and Across the Street.” We were reminded earlier this year that we are all “sent” and are all God’s ambassadors. Romans 10:14-16 says,

“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?…How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

That’s YOU and ME, right where we live.

Let us not growing weary of well-doing! I want to challenge us to sacrifice more, give even more, and believe that our God will use our money, time and talents to reach many with the gospel. Thank you for your past generosity and in advance for your sacrificial pledges for the upcoming GP budget.

To God be the glory!

In countries like Switzerland in the spring, a skier shouting a few words can set off tons of snow thundering down the mountainside. In my children's Operation World (Intervarsity Press, 2018) prayer book we are reminded that, "In the same way, a few words spoken to God our Father in Jesus' name can set off an avalanche of God's power in any part of the world." (p.4)
 
Jill Johnstone, one of the authors of the first edition of this great resource, had started a children's prayer club. Back in the days when Albania was the world's first atheist country, the kids felt bad that people weren't allowed to worship God. They prayed hard for a change in that country, and, in time, the leaders in Albania changed. Now, people there are allowed to follow Jesus. 
 
Why are our prayers so powerful? When we make a commitment to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our body. That means all of God's power and strength reside in us, too.  
 
During our family's twelve years in Turkey, we worked and prayed hard to see churches planted among the Kurdish people. When we left in 2002 only a handful of Kurds had put their faith in Christ. I remember thinking of all the global partners who had spent their lives there and were even buried on Turkish soil. They had not seen the fruit of their labors. Yet today there are a handful of Kurdish fellowships. Turks worship alongside Kurds in several Turkish cities. Today there are even Kurds who are going as global partners to their own people.
 
This is why we should never stop praying for what we know God sees as good. The work of our enemy, Satan, can slow down prayers being answered. This should not discourage us as God has told us, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16 NIV). Although this can seem a daunting task, God taught us to pray without ceasing. 
      
I want to partner with God as He works in our world. Yet, I know how hard it is to spend long periods on my knees in prayer. During this past year, I learned to pray in new ways. I have an inflatable globe which I keep nearby. Sometimes I place it on the table next to me or in my lap. As I pray for a country or people group I raise my hand above that area and imagine God's power going forth (like an avalanche). Because God knows everything, and I don't, I share my prayers for distant lands knowing He will do what is best in His perfect timing.
 
Other times, I sit my little globe on the buffet next to where I stand and play my guitar. I sing my worship song in prayer specifically for the country of the day. I sing my song as a prayer for the people in that part of the world. I also have a prayer book with beautiful photos of people in remote parts of the world. After reading it, I close my eyes and imagine I'm in a drone (like the kind you put cameras on). As I come closer and closer to the land, I can see in my mind's eye the people I am praying for herding their cattle or collecting berries in the forests. I imagine their daily needs as I pray for them.
 
Recently I saw a furniture advertisement in a magazine that was entitled: Life in the Slow Lane. I like that phrase. It reminds me of all the new ways I have learned to talk to God since life has slowed down (for most of us) this past year. Spending more time talking to God about the world's people has had an unexpected affect in my life, too. I am more conscious of my eating and spending habits now. Knowing that America has less than 5% of the world's population, I am more aware of the news concerning the other 95% of the people that Jesus loves. 
 
Pastor Tim Keller once said that prayer is not talking to God, it is responding to God. That is why we can most easily pray after we read (or sing) God's Word. We get to know God, we hear Him speak to us, and we have things we want to say to Him as a result. One thing we learn for certain is that our Father loves all people on this earth:
     
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV)
 
-Heather

I am always inspired, motivated, encouraged, and convicted when I hear the stories of what God is doing around the world through our Global Partners (GPs). Stories about how one of them has led relief efforts in the Philippines after the islands were hit with a trio of devastating typhoons within a month; about how whole villages in a Muslim dominated region became open to hear about Jesus through the love and sacrifice of another; about how yet another is training hundreds of evangelists in countries all around the world; and another is seeing many people come to faith in Jesus in the remote villages of Panama. Those are just a few of the stories your GP Ministry Team at Greater Portland is privileged to hear. 

Over the next three Sundays, you will all get to hear stories like these from our GPs and guest speakers during our annual Global Partners Emphasis. In the next three weeks, you will get to hear from over half of our 16 Global Partners during the worship services, in the adult classes, on social media, and in our newsletter. 

The purpose of the emphasis, and in fact, the purpose of the GP Ministry Team year-round, is to keep our church aware of our GPs, to meet their needs as they arise, and to provide prayer and financial support for them. 

Greater Portland has a remarkable history of generous financial support for our Global Partners, far above what a church of our size would normally be able to do. Thank you and our Lord Jesus for that! Financial support for these sacrificial servants is managed through a GP budget that is separate from the church’s general operating budget. Each year, during the GP Emphasis, we ask each of you who are part of our church family, to participate in our global ministry by pledging some amount to support our GPs for the next fiscal year (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022). Based on the total amount pledged, the GP team then will set the support budget for the coming year. 

I hope you’ll take advantage of every opportunity over the next three Sundays to learn about our Global Partners and their ministries and be as inspired, motivated, encouraged, and convicted as I am.

Recently I was in Florence on a “golf junket” with several friends. Two of us were sharing an RV in which I was sleeping on the hide-a-bed in the main living area. I awoke one morning chilly because the propane tanks had emptied sometime in the evening. I pulled a couple of blankets on to get me through to the morning when we took the tanks out to be refilled. While returning to the RV site we were followed by a man who was obviously in hurry. As we exited Hwy 101 to get back to the RV park, he started flashing his lights to get our attention. He was clearly torqued by having to follow us down this windy road. I jokingly commented as we let him pass at how nice it would be to have a technology handy that would disable his engine leaving him stranded and unable to get to where he wanted to go in such a hurry. I then turned to my friend noting how amazed I was at how quickly that “evil nature” within me raised its ugly head to say that. We both chuckled, but it gave me pause to think about this further. So, when I was asked to write this note, which included some experience I’ve had recently, I thought this would be of interest. After all, I don’t think I’m alone in what I call “an outburst of the flesh." 

Over the past year, while in quasi-isolation, I have been praying that the Lord would reveal those things that are offensive to Him. Big mistake! What He has shown me is that I am not what I think I am much of the time. I’ve come to realize more how judgmental and self-righteous I really am. How quick I am able to judge and criticize others. I may not voice my thoughts or voice my criticism to others, but I know I am this way far too often. I can’t escape that the Lord knows, He sees my heart. I am more aware of this now than I can remember in the past. I again ask the questions of why am I this way? Why can’t I control this aspect of my nature? In many respects, I am ashamed to admit I am this way. It would be easy to dismiss this, but the Lord has not permitted it this year. I have to grapple with the reality of what lies within. And I stand condemned! Knowing I am guilty, I am tempted to just suffer with the shame and guilt of failing to be what I want to be. You ever feel this way?

The good news is there is a way of escape. Over time I’ve learned from Romans 7:7-8:1 that I have the capacity to say and do things I can’t control. I simply do not have the power to harness the outbursts of my “flesh”, my “evil nature." So how do I process what I’ve learned? I remind myself that God is not surprised at these outbursts. I may act as though He is angry with me, but that is a lie. As Paul writes in Romans 8:1, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." And praise God I am in Christ Jesus!

There is rarely a day that passes that I am not reminded of this truth. It brings joy and peace to my heart knowing He knows me and I am never condemned by Him. I may condemn myself and others may condemn me, but I know that God does not condemn me. I know He has forgiven me, and I know I am righteous, fit to dwell in His presence. I am able to say, “Thank you Lord! Your grace far surpasses any understanding I may have of You. Thank You for teaching me the truth of who and what I am. Thank you for freeing me from the guilt and shame."

For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21 NASB)

Today is Good Friday. “GOOD” Friday. On this day, as we remember and reflect on Jesus’s excruciating suffering and death, it seems counterintuitive to call it “good.” And yet it’s what Jesus accomplished for us through His suffering and dying on the cross that made it good. Jesus, the very Son of God, lived a perfect life here on earth and substituted Himself to pay for our sins, so that when we repent and accept Him, we can be restored to a full relationship with God and spend eternity with Him. And that is very good. It reminds me of Genesis when God created humans and said, “It is very good.” Yet this very good creation came at an enormous cost to the Creator.

I grew up in a small midwestern town with small-town values. Not that everyone lived those values, but as a young girl it seemed like most of them did. I remember fondly having the week before Easter as our spring break. I especially remember Good Friday. All of the businesses, including banks and grocery stores, shut down at noon, and there was very little activity anywhere. You would see very few if any cars driving on the roads. I remember the quiet, the reverence. I’m sure not everyone was a Jesus follower inwardly, and many were not outwardly, yet that observance was practiced. I remember one Good Friday when I was with a friend and, even though we were outside, we would whisper. I loved the quiet of those hours. They seemed holy. Perhaps it didn’t happen all over the nation, but it did in my part of the world. And I miss it. 

Almost every year since the movie The Passion of the Christ came out, I watch it. Not because I enjoy watching it—in fact, it’s hard to watch—but there’s something inside of me that feels it’s important to acknowledge what it might have been like for Jesus to take the sins of the world upon Himself. I know it’s just a movie and the reality of what Jesus went through was so much worse, but I want the cost to our God to forgive our sins and reconcile us to Himself to sink in deeper, and, for me, watching that movie contributes to the process. It’s too easy for me to go on in my life and take for granted, to lose sight of, the cost. And I don’t want it to be easy. I want it to be realized.

Many have questioned as to why God did what He did. Did Jesus really have to suffer and die for us? Wasn’t there another way? After all, God is God. Couldn’t He have just said we were forgiven and then let it be so? The answer, as many of you know, is “No.” He could not do that without violating part of who He is. Yes, He is loving and merciful, but He is also holy and just. His desire to forgive us so that we could be restored and in full relationship with Him, could not negate His justice. So God, in His amazing love for us and desire to be in relationship with us, did what only He could do. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Why did Good Friday have to happen? Because God loves us. We are a creation that continues to fall short of who we were created to be, we sin. And in order to be reconciled to a holy and just God, that sin needs to be paid for. The penalty is death and separation from God. On our own, because we are all imperfect, we can never pay the price and still be in relationship with God. We can never save ourselves. We need our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our perfect loving, righteous, just God, the Creator of the universe and of each one of us, gave Himself up to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Jesus satisfied the justice that needed to take place, and He made it possible for all who would receive Him, to be in a relationship with Him forever. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). 

Yes, when God created that which was “very good,” it did come at an enormous cost to Himself—but it did not come as a surprise to Him. God knew beforehand what it would cost, and in His amazing love for us, He felt it was worth it! He felt you were worth it. May this Good Friday, and Easter morning, remind you of how very much you are loved by the very God who created you. Reflect on what Good Friday represents, and then be ready on Sunday to rejoice and be glad as we proclaim, “He Has Risen! He is Risen Indeed!" And THAT is very good!

_______________

Please know that if you are going through a crisis or difficult time, you do not need to go through it alone. We have Stephen Ministers who have been trained to meet one-on-one and would consider it a privilege to walk alongside you through this time. Call the church or email stephenministry@pdxchurch.org and someone will contact you. 

I have a co-worker who has a four year old daughter named Eleanor who is precious and precocious. One of my favorite Eleanor stories is when when my coworker told me he walked into the living room and Eleanor was sitting on the couch. She was alone and she was crying. Alarmed, my friend asked, "Eleanor, what's the matter?" Eleanor stopped crying and said, "Oh nothing, daddy, I'm just practicing." 
  
There was nothing wrong with Eleanor that day. She had simply decided to take the time to practice for a time when her performance as a very good crier might come in handy. 
  
The Bible also encourages us to practice so that we are prepared. Not prepared to manipulate someone into giving us what we want, but to be ready to give answers when asked why we believe. The Bible is God's Word for teaching and instructing us to be righteous, competent and equipped to do God's work at any given moment.  
  
On the anniversary of this pandemic, we now know the speed of which our lives and our world can change. We have survived store shelves void of toilet paper and wet wipes and have watched the face mask evolve to the point of being a fashion statement. 
  
But, despite what is going on in our ever changing world, we are instructed not to be disheartened or fearful. The Word reminds us over and over again to not be discouraged, not to conform to this world, and to keep our eyes on Jesus. Every day is a day the Lord has made, even during a pandemic. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  
  
On a personal level, I'm wishing I would have better used this pandemic year at home to draw nearer to God. I certainly can't say I have been too busy to spend time in ways that honor God and draw me nearer to Him. I would have hoped that during my approximately 4000 waking hours of un-busyness, I would have memorized Scripture, updated my 3-minute testimony, read a few of the inspirational books stacked on my nightstand and filled a journal. Or two. Or three.  
  
But God! 
  
I love it when I read the words in the Bible, "But God!!" Whenever we see that, it is followed by something God has done.  
       But God remembered Noah 
       But God has seen my hardship 
       But God meant the evil in Joseph's life for good 
       But now the LORD my God has given me peace on every side. 
       
The list of where 'But God' is seen in the Bible is quite long because God always makes a path in the desert. He always fulfills His promises. He is always good. 
  
Despite my lack of proper self-discipline, I am going to boast. Not in me, of course, but in God and the work He has done through the church leadership and community of Greater Portland Bible Church. 
  
Over the past year, GPBC never stopped obeying the call to minister to those who are hungry physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially; to care for one another; to encourage others; to answer the call to worship through sermons, songs, emails, and drive-bys; and to continue to lead us and teach us that God is alive and active. I have seen the glory and goodness of God through our church. And it is good. Paul recognized that the church is not a building but a body of believers. Even during a pandemic, we are called to praise and glorify God. When the church building closed, we zoomed, we streamed, and we are emerging with our foundation solid and strong and, praise God, a growing congregation. 
  
We are called to be a light for Jesus. Even during a pandemic. How? Practice joy, practice thankfulness, practice not thinking too highly of ourselves, practice being the hands and feet of Jesus. The world seems to want us out of practice, distancing, apart from one another, masked and relying on the media to direct us on how we should behave. Thankfully, we have God's Word to guide us in every situation.  
  
Little Eleanor knew that practice would prepare her should a situation arise when her exceptional ability to cry encouraged others to give her what she wanted. As believers, we no longer seek ways to get what we want, but instead seek ways to draw near to Him. As believers, our happiness doesn't depend on our ability to manipulate a situation. The joy we seek is found only in Jesus. He is our present and future hope. He is our source, our force, and our course.

I have been reflecting this past week (as I’m sure many of you have) on the fact that it’s now been exactly one year since the pandemic began. I’ve been struck this year as I talk to people who aren’t followers of Jesus and their perspective on everything that has happened. Most people see this year as an immense loss, a complete waste of time, and something that they could not wait to get through and get back to “normal life." While the losses, great and small, of the past year cannot be overstated, I think of how we are prodded by the Spirit of God to see things in a different light, and are reminded that the presence of God draws near in the still and quiet place when not much seems to be happening. Many times it takes the quiet for us to perceive the areas he wants to work more deeply in.

Something that has challenged me deeply this past year is coming back to thinking about suffering in the context of God’s main aim for us as his people: is it making me more into the person of love that God wants me to be, than I was before? In measuring the past year by that standard, it becomes not an immense waste, but in immense opportunity to allow God to make us more into his image, filled with his love and open to his work in us, than we were one year ago. This doesn’t happen by default, though, of course. It’s not a guarantee that suffering will make me more loving; however, God invites us daily to let Him do something in us through our suffering. My prayer is that I say yes to that invitation every day. May we be more open to him, and, welcome the things we don’t wish we were welcoming so that we may have a more worthwhile gain: being made more into the likeness of our God who is love, than we were before.

As James says, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” May you welcome these annoyances, distractions and roadblocks of the past year and this season so that the “resilience-building" (perseverance) may finish its work in you, so that you may be, as The Message translates it, “not deficient in any way."

Recovery: it’s a word that both expresses something positive and negative. On one hand, recovery demonstrates that things are getting better every day. At the same time, it also has to acknowledge that something bad happened which caused you to be in a time of recovery from that instance. Even if it was a surgery which saved your life, the doctors still had to cut into your body and then stich it up. While the end result will be much better, for the meantime, you’re in pain and need to rest.  

Watching others go through recovery is much different than going through it yourself. And each person’s experience is as different as their DNA. How could I possibly have stepped into the experience of my husband as he recovered from his appendectomy? Not even the doctor knew exactly what he was feeling or what he would need to go through to arrive at full recovery. Now, as I am recovering from a stomach surgery of my own, no one seems to fully understand what I’m feeling or what I need at each hour of the day in order for my body to fully recover. Experts can give me advice on what has helped others in the past – and much of their advice is helpful. Then there are other times I describe a certain position I need to lay in to find relief from the pain, and they can only reassure me that everyone’s process is unique and to keep doing what I feel I need to do to recover. So this requires me to pay attention to my own body, to understand what I need, to ask for help and rely on others while asking them to be very patient with me.

In much the same way, the signs of spring I see out my window demonstrate that the earth in its seasons also recovers from harsh winters. Whereas last week the sky was dark and cloudy and we had to bundle up all day to stay warm, today I see sunshine peeking through and flowers growing, and I’m content without a sweater.  

Today, I looked at the calendar and realized that March has come once again. Can you believe it’s been a whole year since the world was rocked by the pandemic? A whole year. And while many good things may have come from more time with our families and learning how to improve our immune systems, we are all in need of recovery. And as diverse as we all are, I know this will be a unique season of recovery for each of us. No one can fully understand how we each need to recover. So, this requires us to pay attention to our body, our mind, our emotions, our heart. We’ll need to decide what it is we need – even if this means asking experts to give some advice on what has helped others in similar situations. We’ll need to rely on others around us and offer help as we are able. We’ll need to ask others to be patient with us and admit that we are still recovering. We’ll also need to be patient with those we encounter during our day – whether it’s co-workers or people at the store or on the road or a neighbor.  

Slowly, I know I’m recovering. It requires me to take stock of myself each morning and notice what is better or different. I’m choosing to rejoice in what I’m able to do again without pain. I’m relishing each new food I’m able to eat. I’m learning new rhythms of rest and taking comfort that God is not asking me to go any faster than my limits currently allow me. May this be a new season of recovery for you – and may you learn new rhythms of checking in with yourself and finding joy in new things each day. Don’t rush the process. It all takes time – just like a spring flower pushing its way through hard and frozen soil. And may we find ourselves stronger in our faith because of this time of recovery.

Recently my mind has been reflecting on the idea of loss. Some of this has been prompted by the fact that my wife and I have lost dear friends to the pandemic over the past year. In addition, after 34 years as an educator in the same local high school, my position at that school became a casualty to the ripple-effects of the virus. So, as of July 1, 2020, I found myself unemployed for the first time since coming to Portland nearly 40 years ago.  

For over four months, I filled out applications and sent out resumes. The result was that in November I received a phone call for an interview and was hired to do a graveyard shift stocking job at a local grocery store. I have been working there ever since.  

This has been the catalyst for further reflections on loss, not because I am stuck on mourning the loss of my other job, but because in that three-month period I have “lost” thirty pounds!  

This shedding of weight was not prompted by any conscious decision on my part to diet, or fulfilling some new year’s resolution. In fact, it occurred rather naturally as a consequence of hard work and my commitment to persevere, making the best of my new-found circumstances.

One day, on a whim, I Googled, “What everyday items weigh 30 lbs.?”  The answer shocked me!

• 4 gallons of water!
• Your average 3-year-old!
• About 100 baseballs!
• The average weight of a high schooler's backpack!

I was definitely taken back by that last entry. I have seen the burden of adolescents’ backpacks weighing them down and the relief on their faces when they “weighed anchor” in my classroom, shedding their heavy totes.

I tend to think of losing things as a negative in my life, when, in fact, it can be a very positive experience of relief.  

The writer of Hebrews sees it this way in his well-known discussion of the Christian life, pictured as the running of a race, in Hebrews 12:1-2.  

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, . . . 

I can’t tell you how much better I feel physically having lightened the load on my body by 30 lbs. And this has led me to consider how much better spiritually I would feel if I did the equivalent in my spiritual life, as this passage is encouraging us to do. 
 
The writer seems to speak about two categories that we need to shed in this verse – weights and sins. We recognize easily that sin bogs us down in our race to follow after Jesus, but what about other hinderances that may not constitute sin, but nonetheless, hamper us in our progress toward Christlikeness? In Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of this passage he calls them “extra spiritual fat.”

You probably have seen the emails from our church encouraging us to utilize the tools they are offering (Lenten videos, etc.) to make the most of the upcoming Lenten season for some serious reflection on the health of our spiritual lives.

I want to encourage you, and myself, to make the most of this opportunity to shed some baggage. Lent has often been seen as a time to deny ourselves of something to heighten our spiritual awareness, to focus our minds in such a way as to see ourselves and our spiritual condition with spiritual 20/20 vision.  

I know how much I have “gained” from losing 30 lbs., and I wonder if God has even more in store for me to gain by losing some of the baggage that I have allowed to entangle me in my spiritual race.  

Jesus turned this whole gaining and losing dynamic on its ear in Mark 8:36 when he said, “What will it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Some things aren’t worth gaining, and others are not worth losing. Let’s make sure in this season we get it right!

Look unto Jesus!

This Sunday we get to be all together as a whole Jesus faith family in “one room” – a room that is big enough for 100 of us to gather in our auditorium and be joined by the rest of us gathering virtually from home!! 

We value people of all ages and stages and the gift of following Jesus TOGETHER, so we do Community Sundays four times a year – we aren’t US without YOU!!!

This Sunday we are connecting to our Table Talk Series and interacting together around the truth that WE ARE SENT!!! THANK YOU, JESUS!!!

Jesus Commissions and Sends us out as His representatives in His Full Authority and filled with His Holy Spirit.

These Sundays are filled with times of prayer, interaction, and physical ways of connecting to Jesus together. This Sunday we will be receiving a SENT Coin of Commissioning and also filling out a “My Prayers” page in response to the Holy Spirit’s leading to specific people and places for each of us.

For those of us who are participating from home this Sunday, please print a copy of the “My Prayers Page” in advance so you have it ready to use that morning. If you would like a physical coin and won't be joining us in-person, email us your first and last name, full address, and how many coins you or your family needs, and we will mail you your coin/s as supplies last.

Also, please familiarize yourself with how to make comments within YouTube during the service as there will be times when you will be invited to do so. (Instructions for how to leave comments in YouTube.)

EVERYONE, please pray and spend time with the Holy Spirit and these verses in preparation for our time together. 

"'Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.' (John 13:14-15 NIV)"

"'As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.' (John 20:21-22 NIV)"

Jesus comes close to us and says, 

"All the authority of the universe has been given to me. Now go in my authority and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age. (Matthew 28:18-19 TPT)"

Your Community Sunday Team,

Janet, Sally, Greg, Caris, Ethan, Marcus  

It was one of those days at the grocery store where there were only two check out lanes open, and I was standing in one of the lines on a “6 feet apart” sticker that snaked down the cereal aisle. I was already taking deep breaths, planning how I would race to my car so I could get home, unload groceries, and start the drop-kids-off-at-sports driving of the evening.

Twenty minutes had already passed when a new cashier walked in front of my cart and motioned me to come to a new check-out line she was opening (yay!). I maneuvered my cart to follow her when another gentleman raced over from the pasta aisle and cut me off. Maybe he didn’t see me - he certainly acted like he didn’t, but maybe he did. I heard a “hmmph” behind me and realized that the lady behind me in the cereal aisle line had followed me to the new line.

There is nothing remarkable about this story. Something like this has probably happened many times to everyone reading this. But this time, before I could look behind me and exchange self-righteous (“we would never do that!”) glances with the lady behind me, I heard that still, small voice inside me saying, “This is an invitation. I’m giving you an invitation to exercise patience. There are invitations being offered to you all the time.”

We Christians like to say stuff like,“Don’t pray for patience because the Lord is just going to put you into situations where you have to use it!” But this time I saw it more like we all have patience muscles, and this was an opportunity to give it a workout and strengthen it.

So I took a few more deep breaths and looked around me, noticing the flowers, the covers of the magazines, the faces of the people who live in my area and shop at this particular Fred Meyer. I thought about how fortunate I was to be able to buy a cart of groceries, have a cozy home to cook them up in, and a family I love to share them with. I thought about the pantry ministry of the church and of churches and organizations all around the city and prayed for resources, encouragement, strength and grace for them. I thanked God for a healthy body that can zip through the grocery store, pushing a loaded cart and for the ability to read and write my grocery list. By the time I reached the cashier, I had a real smile to give her - even though she couldn’t see it behind my mask.

My prayer and desire has repeatedly been to see and experience God everywhere - in all the mundane, little bits of life. There was something about the idea of there always being invitations offered to me, to us, that has been steeping in my soul since that day at the grocery store. I find myself looking at the repetitive parts of my life (there are many) and trying to see the invitation.

Sometimes I’m surprised that the invitation is to joy and enjoyment - to set down my responsibility-driven personality and play “Bop-It” with my family. Sometimes the invitation is to recognize my irritation and apologize for how it was seeping out and to equip my kids to call me on it. Many times there is an invitation to trust that God is present in suffering or is there for the wayward and won’t abandon them. There is always an invitation is to be honest and thankful.

Paul’s letters have been like exercise weights to use to strengthen those “muscles” of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. I try to let myself get really honest with God - “I’m so angry about______!” And then I rehearse scripture to myself:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

“In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

What invitations are being offered to you these days? What “muscles” are getting exercised? May we all have eyes to see and ears to hear the invitations He’s offering us.

"Martha , Martha , you are worried and bothered about so many things…” (Luke 10:41)

I really appreciated Pastor Wayne’s message two weeks ago, Simple Discipleship, where he challenged us to live out the Great Commission in a more purposeful way.

We can get just like Martha and get worried and bothered by so many things, often good things, but are they the best things, the right things?

"… Go make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19)

Making disciples is not the sole function of the church, but it is primary. In other words, making disciples is the main purpose/mission of the church. There are many good things we can and should do to impact the world we live in for the Glory of God, but we should be purposeful about making disciples. It’s easy to get distracted and pulled away from our primary mission by well sounding, and maybe even worthy causes, that can compromise our effectiveness in fulfilling our God given mission.

We do care about our environment, even some political matters, and we grieve over social in-justices. We need to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and I believe God calls some to focus their lives into such ministries, hallelujah! All this, remembering the greatest need of every person is spiritual and eternal.

So, let’s GO together, united in our calling to make disciples.

Years ago, I joined some friends on a Saturday afternoon in midsummer to float down a river on tubes and rafts. The weather was warm, and the cool water felt refreshing as we floated down twists and turns in what was generally calm, but moving, water. At one point in the river, the current picked up a little, and I rounded a corner to see a large trunk jutting out across the river. I lost control of my tube, and I headed straight for it. My tube went up on the side of the tree and threw me off into the water.

The unrelenting pressure of the river current pushed my body up against the tree at such an angle that I couldn’t pull myself up or reach my feet down. I was trapped against the tree and underwater. For a split moment, a thought entered my head that this might be it. This might be how I go, because I couldn’t breathe or break free. But following that thought came another, “If I can’t fight the current, what if I went with it?”

I began to roll my body against the tree and with the current. I did my best to spin myself as my lungs felt like they could only hold on a little longer. Finally, I reached the end of the log and was set free to drift further down the river. I burst out of the water sputtering and gasping for air. I stood up near the shallow side of the river, and, as I walked, I could make out my friends who were heading back up the river to find me. 

God’s will is a force in our lives that runs like the current of a river. Sometimes we find ourselves fighting against the current thinking it’s best for us, when really God’s desire for our lives will ultimately bring fulfillment and abundant life. In Hebrews 13:21 it says that God will “equip you with everything good for doing his will.” Maybe what God is calling you to do is uncomfortable, difficult or contrary to what you might want. Realize that what you need to follow where God leads you will, or has been, provided for you. You simply must give in to the current and let Him lead you.

I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30 NIV

This verse almost takes my breath away. Can it be that once again this nation that was chosen by God to display Him and all His welcoming attributes to people around them had completely abandoned Him and allowed the idols of the surrounding cultures to entice and capture them into unbelief? A wall was the best means of protection in ancient times. A breach in the wall would let the enemy through. No one in Israel repaired it. No one in Israel asked God to help. No one begged for mercy.  Judgement was assured.

God still seeks people who will stand in the gap for friends and family, for people groups and nations, asking God to spare and to save (I Timothy 2:1-4). 

Without realizing it, God taught me to stand in the gap for my family shortly after my decision to follow Jesus. Another young mom asked me to pray with her for our families. Each week we picked up the kids at school and got on our knees at the sofa in her living room, and while the kids played around us, we prayed for each person in our families. That was 46 years ago. She has moved to North Carolina, but we still pray over the phone and try to meet once a year for extended prayer.  We prayed for our kids’ teachers, friends, studies and all those little details that consume a mom’s heart.  We prayed for their colleges, for their future mates and now for our grandchildren and all that will be a part of their future.  Last fall we met for an extended time of prayer and revisited a book we used to pray character traits into our children. We prayed that each of these character traits would be exhibited in our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren.  To date all our children, their spouses and all our grandchildren are followers of Jesus and walk in His story. We take no credit, and always begin our times together with praise and honor of the One who takes a mustard seed of faith and moves mountains.  The only assurance we have of the future is that He will always be there listening to the prayers of two grandmothers standing in the gap. 

God taught me to stand in the gap for people groups and nations when my husband and I met a young Nigerian who was starting a mission school to train men and women to reach the unreached tribes.  We felt God calling us to support him. Each month a prayer letter came through the mail with daily prayer requests. Throughout the years I used these powerful prayers as a template for my own prayers, taking back ground that the enemy had claimed in our city, state, nation, and the world. I still receive the prayer letter and have praised God as numerous tribes and people groups have heard about Jesus for the first time, and planted church after church despite merciless persecution.   

As I read back through this, I sound like one of those mighty prayer warriors who wore holes in their carpets from being on their knees. Nothing could be further from the truth.  I wrestle every day to get to prayer. I find intercessory prayer to be the most difficult of all prayers and I have failed more than I have succeeded. Thank God I’m not the only one standing in the gap! Thanks to all of you who stand with me. And for all of you who are hearing His call, jump on board and extend the army of those needed to stand in the gap to complete His great commission.

In 2019 BC (Before COVID), I landed the role of “Silly Girl #2” in a local musical production of Beauty and the Beast. This was my first on-stage acting role I had held since my glorious elementary school years. I had a handful of lines and was also part of the chorus, carrying the alto line for my section of the stage. I really struggled for weeks. The music was challenging; my lines, although few, were maddeningly hard to remember; and acting like a hunky, dim, and self-absorbed man was the sole object of my affection did not come naturally. 

So, I practiced. I pounded out parts on the piano. I recorded myself singing parts and relistened to them over and over in the car. I wrote a million notes all over my music. I repeated my speaking lines often. And I made doe-eyed, smitten faces at myself in the mirror, trying to find that perfect expression to communicate all my embarrassing devotion. 

When it came time for our performances, the lines, the music, and, yes, even the doe-eyes came quite naturally and easily. My cast mates and I had rehearsed the story, we had rehearsed our roles in the story, and when it came time to communicate that story to the audience, we did it without hesitation or uncertainty. We knew who we were! We were little people in a quiet village waking up to say, “Bonjour!” The story became vibrant and alive because of our preparation and we were met with standing ovations at curtain time. Bravo, bravo, bravissimo!

For many of us, there is another story in which we have all be invited to be cast in. The Big God Story. And, oh, it is the best story of all. It has the most beautiful and perfect introduction. Creation. Beauty. Intimate and unhindered Love. All is well. A world we’d love to have stayed in.

But, alas, the villain enters the story, and darkness envelops the land. Sin lands heavy on the souls of men. Desperateness. Futility. A hero is promised. Defiance. Suffering. Time passes. The people work hard to compensate for their shadows. More time passes. Hope is nearly forsaken and then…a light dawns. The hero comes. He shows the path of light, of wisdom, of compassion, truth and love.

Then in a wild plot twist, the hero gives up his life. What kind of ending is this? The people are unsure. Then it’s the third day. The hero slips off the fetters of death and rises, victorious and righteous. The villain is defeated. The people are free. Hope bursts forth as the hero offers all people the chance to inherit new titles. Instead of Mournful, they are called Joyful. Instead of Orphan, they take up the names Sons and Daughters. Instead of Payment Due they are called Redeemed. Instead of Corrupt they are appointed Righteous. To each who take up a new name he gives the charge to become bearers of the Story. Heralds of its narrative. Singers of its tale. 

So here we are, emissaries and cast members of the most significant, wonderful, vibrant story the earth has ever known. And there are audiences throughout our lives that have not heard this singular story and felt the impact of it on their souls. This is a story that we must practice and rehearse, understanding completely our roles in it and its implication for our audience, thereby making us credible and passionate relayers of its plot. 

That is one reason that we rehearse the story every Sunday when we gather. As cast members of the Big God Story, we must know this story inside and out. We must celebrate its impact on our lives. We must praise the Author of the story. If we don’t embrace our role in it, how can we ever convince the audience of who we are within its pages?

But one weekly practice is not enough. We need to get into our scripts (the Word of God), memorizing its lines, filling it up with notes. We need to get with others to practice scenes (small groups, mentoring, discipleship, service). We need to fall in love with the Author of the story (prayer, worship, enjoying creation). 

Each of these things prepares us to boldly bring the Story to life for another. Not only that but we’ve got the Prompter (the Holy Spirit) ready to cue us as to what to say and where to move to in this inspiring stage adaptation of the Big God Story. We can joyfully present the fruit of our labor and love to a new audience, just as some other cast member did for us when we had not yet heard the greatest tale of love and sacrifice the world has ever seen.  

Go, therefore, as actors and players in this beautiful, epic Jesus saga, and bid others to enter the Story with you. Let’s get this show on the road. 

Now, go break a leg! 

As I reflect on the year 2020 and ponder what 2021 might bring, I thought of fear, anxiety, stress, frustration, fatigue, lack of "normalcy." I thought of our nation going through unparalleled social and political divide and unrest. The Holy Spirit impressed upon me these three thoughts to help me personally, and I hope they will be helpful to you as well.

The first thought was Hebrews 10:25: We are exhorted to “consider how to spur one another to love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

How do we do this when the pandemic has given us "social-distancing?" Isolation has become a reality for many and impacts both spiritual and mental health. I know it’s not in the correct context, but in Genesis, God said it’s not good for man to be alone. I truly believe that God created us to be in communion with other people. We are designed to flourish and be most happy when we are amongst other people.

I also believe that the scripture teaches us that Satan is like a roaring lion ready to pounce on vulnerable targets, usually targets that are isolated from the rest of the herd or sick or injured. While zooming, texting and phone calls cannot replace meeting face to face or hugs or sharing meals together, and technical connections can be glitchy, I am thankful for these options, which are better than not meeting at all. Having a way to connect with other believers is good for ones’ soul. The other day, Miriam and I had a chance to Zoom with friends we had in Bible study when we were missionaries in Kenya some 20 years ago. It was so good to catch up, reconnect, and encourage one another in the Lord. It was good for my soul. 

The second thought that came to mind was from Proverbs 29:18, ”Where there is no vision the people perish." With all the uncertainties and stresses transitioning into 2021, how are we to navigate these unsettling times? In ancient days, before navigation devices, sailors were able to set their course based on landmarks, if they were close enough to shore, or stars at night. In this way, they were able to plot their course. If they didn’t have these landmarks or stars they would surely be shipwrecked or, worse, lost at sea.

It’s one thing to be sailing in calm waters and in familiar areas and normal circumstances (life before COVID-19). However, when stormy waters and winds flare up, sailors need to depend on landmarks and stars to guide to their destination. What is the vision or landmark that is pointing you in the right direction during these uncertain times? Let me suggest two passages of scripture that might be good landmarks or a ‘north star’ to set your bearing for 2021. Philippines 3:10-14 and Matthew 28:18-20. Meditate on these verses and see how God might want you to respond to them this coming year.

My third thought, as I reflected on how we consider spurring one another on toward love and good deeds in 2021, is taken from Deuteronomy 6:4. The people of Israel were finishing their forty-year journey in the wilderness and would be transitioning to a new environment, the promised land. Though it was more hopeful than what we are expecting in our 2021 world, it was still fraught with the unknown, with temptations and enemies that wanted to prevent them from possessing the promised land. Deuteronomy 6:4 says “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God the Lord is one, Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all our strength.”

I believe Moses was exhorting the people of Israel, as they were transitioning to a whole “new normal." New adventures, new routines, new challenges, new social and relational dynamics. He was saying through all of it, keep God the foremost priority of your life. By doing this, you will keep from going astray and following other gods or the values of other nations. It will also prevent you from grumbling and being discontent, allowing a root of bitterness to grow in your heart and mind. 

My hope for you and for myself is that...

• We would not give up meeting together (however that may look)
• We would place God firmly as our vision. 
• We would determine to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. 

Looking forward to what God has in store for us.

Doug and I were given these two ornaments for Christmas, one with Santa Claus wearing a mask and the other with us using masks with hand sanitizer and toilet paper next to us! We chuckled when we received them, because it did represent 2020!

As I sit down this morning thinking about what to write in this blog, I thought about several things. If you were writing the blog this week, what would you write about? First of all, I think you would want a message that encourages us to follow Jesus and be more like him. Would it be a message on looking forward? Isn’t that what we usually do as we anticipate the new year…look forward?

What are you looking forward to in 2021? Your first response may be that you are looking forward to having the pandemic behind us and life back to normal. You may be one that the pandemic affected your business and you are looking forward to financial help. You may have suffered emotional and physical depression from the lockdown and more of this in 2021 does not encourage you! For some of you this question is painful because you lost a loved one (a spouse, sibling, parent, friend) and you are not able to even think about what you are looking forward to! (You may decide to just stop reading this blog!)

In the middle of writing this blog this morning my daughter, Beth called and she encouraged my heart about this question. She mentioned that she was reading the last book of John (John chapter 21) this morning, and she was impressed how Jesus encouraged his disciples to eat with him after they went fishing. He wanted to spend time with them! Here he was the resurrected Jesus and he wanted to eat with them. Jesus first response to his disciples was to be with them and to fellowship with a meal.

John 21:12-19 “Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master…After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Yes, Master, you know I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs." He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?, “Yes Master, you know I love you.” Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.” Then he said it a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I’m telling you the very truth now…”(Message)

If you were one of the disciples what would be your response? I think I would be like Peter, “You’ve got to know that I love you.” You asked me that question three times!

In answering that question on what you are looking forward, maybe it is not about looking forward but stopping. Stopping to practice the presence of Jesus and loving Jesus more than looking for things to change! Jesus may be asking each one of us, “Do you love me?" Maybe it is stopping and being content in the presence of your circumstances and having Jesus walk with you. Maybe it is listening to Jesus every day on how you can shepherd the people around you…your neighbor, your family and friends. My daughter Beth mentioned that she wrote in her journal…”Lord, show me the vulnerable people who are hurting around me who need my encouragement…may be a meal, a call or a prayer. Help me to look for how I can minister to others in 2021.”

I am joining my daughter’s prayer by asking Jesus to show me how I can be “Jesus-centered and others-centered in 2021."  What does looking forward mean to you in 2021?

Happy New Year and see you all in 2021!

Remember 2020?  That was a wild ride. 

There is something about taking last year's calendar off the wall and replacing it with the new year’s calendar. Taking down the old calendar typically is a reminder of the appointments, dinner with friends and family, trips, hundreds of soccer practices, and the miscellaneous events that we fill our lives with during the year.

Instead, our 2020 calendars may have been filled with big red x’s or many plans frustratingly etched out.  It is a sobering reminder that our world was halted for what seemed like an eternity for some.

I, for one, am excited to put the 2021 calendar up.  Not because we are out of the woods of the season we are in right now, but more because there are no longer the big red x’s and exasperated pen marks that have scribbled out yet another hopeful plan.

 Instead, my 2021 calendar is chocked-full of empty boxes. 

Now I understand for the planners out there this may be a total stressor, but for those of us that live for spontaneity, those blank boxes are full of adventure and excitement that we just have not discovered yet. 

Those not yet filled in days bring me hope. Those empty boxes do not signify things that are not there, rather, they point us to a question that we should be asking:

 God, what do you have for me today?

 Who will you put in my life today? What conversations will I be having today?  What are you teaching me today? How can I grow closer to Jesus today? Should I swim in the Willamette River? 

Whether you are a planner or live life off-the-cuff, fill the empty areas of your 2021 calendar with, “God, what do you have for me today?” 

For the planner, this will set your heart at peace because I promise you, God has something for each of us every day of our lives. That question will allow you to plan on interacting with God throughout your days.

For those that thrive in the unknown, this will excite you since you do not know what God has for each day and we get to spend each day discovering just what that is. This question will keep our eyes open for all that God has in store for us. 

Even in the empty spaces and the unknown events of 2021, we can take heart knowing that God is with us, is leading us, and is teaching us. The great unknown for us as Jesus followers is just what it is he has for us.

Greater Portland Bible Church let us burst into 2021 with wide open hearts ready for amazing interactions with our loving and caring God! 

Today is my son, Isaac’s, 17^th birthday!! Every year I praise God for molding Isaac into who he is and for the many blessings Isaac brings into our lives! As I look back on Isaac’s past year, it breaks my heart to see him struggle with the loss of school, employment, and sports. One of the sports Isaac normally participates in is wrestling and the outlook for a season this school year does not look good.

As a mom, watching Isaac wrestle has always been….interesting. How do you cheer on your son as he is essentially fighting someone?! A couple of weeks ago the GPBC Elementary students studied Genesis 32 and learned about Jacob wrestling with God. In verse 28b it says that Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed. How can that be? How can Jacob overpower God? There are many times in my life when I felt like I wrestled with God, but I certainly did not ‘win’ as God is more powerful and wiser than I! One of those times was when James and I decided to start a family only to discover that our road to being parents was going to be a rough one.

We expected everything to go as we planned—never expecting there to be trouble. Then months went by with no pregnancy. James and I decided to seek medical advice and learned that I have a medical condition which makes it difficult to become pregnant. I followed the treatments set out by my doctor and started the ever-heartbreaking cycle of monthly testing that continued to end in disappointment. After 3 years, we decided enough was enough. We ended all medical treatments to take a much needed 6-month break before deciding what to do next.

Throughout the years of infertility, we dealt with stress, depression, and pain. It often felt like we were wrestling with God. The only thing that got us through that time was our faith and trust in God’s plan. When I look back on Genesis 32 I realize Jacob didn’t prevail over God because he overpowered Him. Jacob prevailed because he refused to let go of God even when he feared for his life. Jacob understood the only way to defeat the pain and fear of the world was by holding fast to God. James and I understand this as well and our reliance on Jesus is what got us through the difficult years of infertility. Looking back, I am so thankful for those years and that despite the pain God brought us closer to Him through that process. Every year on Isaac’s birthday, I am reminded of the struggles of our infertility. James and I grew closer to God and each other through the process and God ultimately answered our prayers to be parents by giving us our amazing children!

During the 2020 Advent season, the world is in a valley of darkness. We are dealing with COVID-19 and our country is divided. When we focus on the pain and fear of the world, it is easy to get lost and forget about the hope, joy, peace and love that God brings us in all circumstances. Now is the time for all those who trust in Jesus to hold on to the Lord and refuse to let go, no matter what happens!

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
--Hebrews 10:23

I pray your family reflects the hope, joy, peace, and love of God as you refuse to let go of the faith and hope of Jesus…and never be afraid of going into the wrestling ring with God (just don’t let go)!

I really liked Jane Lewis’ excellent blog last week about lament. Did you read it? If not, go to our GPBC website and read it now. I liked it so much that I want to continue the theme this week.

 Jane began her blog with a quote from Psalm 13, “How long, LORD…How long…How long…How long…?” These are words of pain, not impatience. “How long…day after day [will I] have sorrow in my heart?” A lament is the song of a heart in pain. In the Bible, lament is a God-ordained form of worship. In fact, King David wrote this Psalm not only for himself, but also for us to use in our own private and corporate worship.

 We don’t know for sure why David was in pain. Maybe it was when King Saul was hunting him; or perhaps when his son, Absalom, betrayed, rebelled, and dethroned him; or maybe it was the on-going threat from the Philistines. Whatever it was, it went on for months or years—“How long?!”—with no clear end in sight and with death as a probable outcome. Kind of like a pandemic. Only worse.

 Psalm 13 has three stanzas of two verses each. The first stanza is David’s expression of pain, his complaint. In short, he says, “Lord, you are not helping, I am hurting, and my enemies are winning.” Have you ever talked to the Lord like that? Are you able to be honest with him about your true feelings? That’s what this psalm invites us to do, to lament.

 The second stanza is David’s prayer. He turned his focus away from his circumstance and put it on the Lord, “Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes…” And when he does, he remembers something very significant about the Lord that is relevant to his circumstance.

 The third stanza is David’s praise. It begins with the biggest little word in the Bible, BUT. Something has dramatically changed. The painful circumstance didn’t change, but David’s perspective on his painful circumstance changed. His complaint was morphing into praise. “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise…”

 In prayer, David remembered, or better, God reminded David of his character: he is a God of love. His love is un-failing, un-forgetting, un-changeable, un-limited, un-deserved, un-conditional, in-comprehensible, ir-refutable, and un-stoppable. It is all-sufficient and all-encompassing. His love never gives up, it never runs out on us.

 It is not insignificant that the order of the stanzas is Pain—Prayer—Praise. To get from pain to praise, you have to go through prayer. In prayer we are reminded of the kind of God we worship, that his love is always up to something good for us and we can trust him, even in our pain.

 I don’t know what kind of pain you may have because of the pandemic. Is it the pain of fear, or the pain of anger, or the pain of uncertainty? Whatever it is, Psalm 13 exhorts us to lament that pain as an act of worship to our Lord and then to put our focus, not on the circumstance but on him who loves us.

“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts, and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2)

Have you found yourself asking similar questions? How long, Lord, is this virus going to limit my comings and goings? How long is this going to keep me from being with my family and friends? How long am I going to feel this isolation and loneliness, this anxiety over health, this grief, this financial strain, this uncertainty about the future? How long will my children suffer? How long will there be estrangements from loved ones? How long before all is made right? How long, Lord, how long?

When I look in my Bible, there is one book that has more personal notations and underlines than in any other book. It is the book of Lamentations. I didn’t know it at the time, but this book is considered a book of funeral (sorrow and mourning) poems. It’s about the destruction of Jerusalem, and the lamenting of the author over what has happened to his beloved city and the people in it. My notations beside so many of the verses were the felt realities of the destruction of my marriage. I could relate to the agony of loss, the pain of and for my children, the fear of the unknown, and the waitings for the mercy of God to rescue. My writings in the margins of my Bible were my own laments. It’s strange how I found comfort in a book that held so much pain. 

How are you doing in this present time of your life? I know all of us are experiencing losses of some sort, but what about you personally?  Do you find yourself lamenting? Do you allow yourself the inner reflection and actually the gift, of lamenting?  For me, the self-honesty, the self-examining if you will, has been elusive. I tell myself that whatever God allows, He does so for a reason. When situations are bad, or if someone has hurt me, I oftentimes don’t let myself think about it for too long. I feel the immediate feelings, but then try to quickly turn it over and put it all in God’s hands, trusting in Him to work everything out. Placing everything in God’s hands is certainly the right thing to do, but if I’m not being totally honest with myself on what is going on inside, how can I place the fullness of the situation in His hands?

As so often happens when God is trying to tell me something, I hear inklings from more than one source. And that is happening now. In studying Lamentations, I hear it; in the novel I’m now reading, I hear it; and in an email a friend sent to me sharing the importance of sitting beside one’s feelings, I hear it. It’s time. It’s time to let my soul lament. It’s time to be honest with myself about the reality of my hurts, my disappointments, my angers, my fears. I think the Lord wants me to recognize and express it all to Him, and perhaps even to others (or one) with whom I feel safe in so doing. It’s in the recognizing that it can be released, and in the releasing that freedom and healing can be found. And I know I won’t be alone. God will be with me. The One we can always depend on. The One who is always there. The very One who overcame all so that one day, all of us who love Him, who have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior, will be with Him forever. There will be no more reason to lament, but only reason to praise and experience joy.

I would like to invite every one of you to allow yourself to do your own lamenting. Allow yourself to cry out to God about your pain, your fears, your anger, your uncertainties. Yes, He knows about them already, but there is healing in the self-revealing and in the releasing. Express all that is within your being. God, the lover of your soul, the lover of your heart, the very reason you’re here, is right there with you. He is loving you in every feeling you feel, in every word you speak (or wail), and in every breath you take. He will not leave you nor forsake you—not ever! I pray for those of you who dare to risk experiencing the great relief of the great release, that you will also, along with the author of Lamentations, see the truth of the Lord’s faithfulness. I now know why I found comfort in those poems so long ago.  They also held hope. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

If you are experiencing a difficult time right now, and need someone to come alongside to listen and give you encouraging support, please know that we have people at GPBC serving as Stephen Ministers who would like to be that person for you. And for those of you who have a desire to walk beside someone having a difficult time, please let us know. We need more Stephen Ministers to be Jesus to the hurting. There is an upcoming training beginning the end of January that will equip you with the skills to minister to others. If the Lord is calling to you to serve in this way, please contact Stephen Ministry at stephenministry@pdxchurch.org.

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As we enter this Christmas season, I am reminded of my childhood. I remember the exuberance of childhood excitement. The time of miracles. I came from a family that did not have a lot of money for extras. All of our basic needs were met, but at times it was a struggle for my parents to provide. So when we received gifts from Santa, it was magical. We believed in something more.  We believed in someone more.  On Christmas morning, my siblings and I would sing Christmas carols from the top of the stairs, waiting for Mom and Dad to call up to us that we could come down and see what Santa brought. More than once we would hear, “No, it’s not time yet. Go back to bed.” Well to that I now say, “Yes, yes it is time! It’s time to wake up and experience the One that came down to us. It’s time to experience the someone more who is real. It’s time to experience Jesus.” Wishing you all, my precious GPBC church body and whoever else may be reading this, a very “Merry Christmas” as we celebrate the birth of our forever faithful Lord Jesus. Hallelujah! 

COMMUNITY SUNDAY is here!!!!!! Four times a year our church family comes together all in one service to remember and celebrate Jesus. It’s one of our favorite Sundays as adults, kids, students, everybody is all in one room together. Most times we enjoy a potluck lunch right after the service with more connecting time. 

This year we had our FIRST EVER all-virtual Community Sunday (CS) in May. Then in August we had our first on-campus/all-over-the-city Get Out and Serve CS. And this Sunday, our first COMBO morning, we will be “all together” some in person (

I’ve been running my pick-up for years now.  It came my way used, with only 18,000 miles on it, some twenty year ago.  The age and dings show, but nothing takes away from the heart of the engine and easy power-wheelbarrow-way it gets things done.   The old red truck is reliable and consistent: rain or shine.   But over the last few months I’ve had to take it onto forest tracks and thick-grassed access roads.   I can count five times where a little mud and little rain has led to spinning wheels, rooster-tail sprays of mud and a very frustrated driver going nowhere.  It’s a great truck; it’s always handled anything.  I liked counting on it performing as it always has.  I replaced the tires late last year and only have a few thousand miles on them.   Something must be wrong. 

The tires were only month’s old.  So the off-road traction should not have been the problem.  It never has before.  I pulled the paperwork on the tires and read, “All Season”.  I fingered the treads and realized these tires are made with the purpose.   Their designers and engineers created a tire ready to grip through ice, sleet, snow and rain.   Big long channels in the treads displaced all the watery elements while fat cubes of tire gripped the road.   I saw my off-road problem immediately: the truck is just fine, my tires were never designed to go through mud and tall, wet grass.  

Then I found myself thinking about some of the frustrations we’re all living right now.  My emotions and attention for daily routine, for family and church have been spinning with no traction.   I mean up until a few months ago everything was running great.   We celebrated and mourned with great intention and heartfelt love.  Opportunities to serve, meet and learn hummed along in high gear.  Then it all stopped.   I am really feeling and wondering is this my red truck moment for my walking with Jesus, for being church and family?

Greg’s timely series “Waiting Well” sure is speaking into my thoughts and prayers.  Wayne’s challenge scripturally to “Wait Well” by not fretting, by trusting in Jesus and looking to do good out of God’s love helps.  But I’m still caught wondering.

I would have been happy to do church and follow my Jesus routines. But now I’m spinning.   My problem, like the tires and the truck, is considering does the spinning and waiting change Jesus and the church?   We know how the whole story ends, right?  John recorded it in Revelation, 21:3, And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them as their God.  We hear God Himself: And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  But we’re stuck in the waiting.  

Don’t you imagine Israel over it’s history must have experienced feelings and wonderings like ours? I found this “all things new” theme being shared with the Jewish nation through the writings of Isaiah: Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19) God is repeating His willingness to pursue Jacob, the future gathering of all of Israel to Himself and the forgiveness of all trespasses. It must feel like our own waiting.  I imagine a thousand years of “I love your promises Lord but we’re still waiting”. Does their waiting change what the God of Israel is going to do?  No.  

I love the church!  I love Jesus.  I really like my truck. What its been created to do hasn’t changed. Our church is created to be the expectant messenger.  That hasn’t changed. So these feelings of spinning and uncertainty don’t change Jesus’ plan for me, for us. When we said “Yes” to Jesus’ offer of new life in Him, He made us His own, chosen, like Israel. My desire to live and walk with Him remains the same.  My love for the church and my faith family remain the same.   A desire to grow and serve others, loving as He loves, remains the same. 

I guess I am wanting to embrace the truth that who I am and who the church is hasn’t changed.  My fretting and spinning over these last few months need not distract me from what we have been made to be, in Jesus.   In fact,  I wonder if my own readiness to continue to love and serve in any way possible that is unlike the past routines might be Jesus exact plan.  Am I willing to even get a little excited about being more reliant on Jesus guiding me to be acting, studying and praying in new ways unheard of before this day? 

He told John and His followers: Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. ²⁵ “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live, (John 5:24-25). Let’s pray for each other. I want to flip my feelings of what’s lost in holiday tradition and church routines into “Jesus help me live in the new possibilities”! I need to remember Jesus is still building up His family and me, even when I don’t understand, in my spinning. 

Stephen Ministry is an important way we at GPBC carry out our mission: “Helping people follow Jesus together.” We do this by showing the love of Jesus to people who are going through difficult times. Think of all the hurting people in our faith community:

• experiencing grief after losing a loved one;
• dealing with a major illness;
• caring for a parent or spouse with a chronic condition;
• picking up the pieces after a divorce or broken relationship;
• coping with the pain of unemployment or financial difficulties;
• struggling with infertility, miscarriage, or pregnancy complications; or
• facing other life difficulties.

 Also, think of others who are not part of our faith community dealing with these issues – perhaps people you know at work, in your neighborhood, in your social group, or through your children’s school.

 With Stephen Ministry, we have a great opportunity to reach out to people who are hurting and minister to them during their times of need by matching them with a Stephen Minister, who will walk with them for as long as needed, providing emotional and spiritual support.

 But to meet all these needs, we need Stephen Ministers! We need people with gifts of caring, compassion, patience, faith, listening – who feel called to serve, who want to make a difference in people’s lives, who want to be part of a life-transforming ministry.

 Our vision is to meet all these needs for care and share Jesus’s love with those who are hurting. And to make this vision a reality, we need people to prayerfully consider becoming Stephen Ministers.

 Our next Stephen Ministry training class will be January 24 to May 16, 2021 on Sundays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. plus a few Saturdays, and will be done via Zoom. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister, contact us at stephenministry@pdxchurch.org.

It is 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, November 3rd, and I am waiting for the election results to be declared. My husband, Doug and I have been in prayer for our country, and it was very important that we voted. As a United States citizen we are given the right and privilege to voice our opinion through voting. My dad came from the Philippines, and he was very proud to be a United States citizen. Therefore, he did not take it for granted that he could vote!

With the pandemic and the issues surrounding our nation, I was more involved emotionally and informationally, if there is such a word, in this election than in previous elections. I purposely wanted to understand the issues. I tried to use discretion and wisdom about what I shared and to whom. But at times I found it difficult to find that balance. The bombardment of social media was overwhelming, and it was easy to lose perspective. I had to remind myself many times that the Lord is the blessed controller of all things, and He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

There have been several verses that Doug and I have memorized that have helped us be grounded in our perspective about the election. Genesis 16:13..."You are the God who sees."  He knows and sees what is happening in our country. We remind ourselves often that “Our citizenship is in heaven for which we eagerly wait a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20) We may be a citizen of the United States, but our true citizenship is in heaven. We have a higher calling as a citizen of heaven. We are already seated in the heavenly places. More than waiting on who will be the next President of the United States, we eagerly wait for our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come again. Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow, Jesus Christ will return. Am I eagerly awaiting His return? Are you?

Let your unfailing love surround us Lord for our hope is in you alone. Psalm 33:22

Normally, during this time of year our church would be eagerly running around getting ready for our community fall festival—Family Jam/Pumpkin Slam. However, like so many other planned activities—vacations, sports, school, and church, we had to cancel Family Jam this year. COVID has impacted so much of what we do, our lives have been shaken up. Over the last eight months I struggled with these loses as we were unable to do the things we love and that give us joy. Through these disappointments, I felt God giving me a choice. I could either cling to my old way of life and grow ever more bitter, or I could look for new ways to grow closer to Him and other people.

Last week GPBC started a sermon series entitled Waiting Well. In some respects, it feels as though we have been in a pattern of waiting for quite some time now…waiting for the election to be over, waiting for an end to COVID, waiting for school to start, waiting for church to open fully…. just waiting, waiting, waiting! It is so freeing to know that while we are waiting, God is still present and active in the world, and He is inviting us to join Him! I have been inspired watching members of our church invest in the Kingdom in new ways as we seek to help others follow Jesus! Whether it’s joining an existing church ministry that you never had time for before, listening to God and finding a way to lift up those in need, or looking for ways to adapt a traditional community outreach event to work during a pandemic, your service to God has brought joyful celebration to the Kingdom!  
 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:11

One of the ministries I have been blessed to be a part of during COVID is Homework Club. Over the last couple of months, I have been amazed at how many people from GPBC have come together to demonstrate God’s love and care for the needs of the community through this program! When we first started Homework Club, we wanted to provide a place for families who are struggling with online distance learning. We soon realized most students coming didn’t need scholastic help, but craved social interaction and hands on activities. Now, thanks to God’s continued guidance, we are adjusting this ministry to better meet the needs of the community we are trying to serve! Each month, in addition to providing tutoring, we have planned hands-on activities that will help students engage with each other as they build math, engineering, reading, and art skills. Every week we have more opportunity to build trust in the community, and I look forward to the day when we can share the Gospel with our neighbors!

I know several people at GPBC have their own stories of how God is leading to share His love during COVID. If you are willing, I would love to hear your personal story of how God is leading you during the pandemic! Every time someone shares their journey with me, my heart is filled with joy, and the excitement for what God is doing impacts my life and my ministry! I pray God continues to inspire you and that excitement overflows and affects everyone around you! I look forward to hearing your story and celebrating our amazing God together!

I’ve never thought of myself as a control freak. Growing up, I was always a people-pleaser, peacemaker, rule-follower. As an adult, I identify with the Enneagram Type 9, described as “the easygoing, self-effacing” type.  But let me tell you, when things start to go awry and feel askew and all of life feels topsy turvy—you know, like how all of 2020 has been—I feel that desire for control rise up inside and bubble over and spill out of me. My words become short and directive, my teeth clench and my chest tightens, and I realize all over again that my desire for control in the midst of chaos is secretly strong.

At SW Church Together this past Sunday, we had the opportunity to reflect on what God is showing and teaching us this year. I wrote down a number of things, including “I am not in control, God is.” It is a truth that I keep learning over and over and over. In all my efforts to regain my bearings on my own, I often hold on tight to what I fear losing and close myself off to whatever might threaten my sense of security. What I’m left with is a mere illusion of peace. And when I seek self-preservation, I wear myself thin and lose out on the wide open possibilities that come with the blessing of trusting more in God.

That is what it comes down to most of the time for me—can I trust God? I know in my head that God is trustworthy, but it is a constant practice to put my trust in the Lord.

Ransom and I have been reading through his Bible recently, and we laugh every time we come across the phrase, “The Israelites forgot.” How could the nation of Israel, who had been witness to mighty miracles and signs of God’s power, keep forgetting what they had experienced and seen? How could they turn back to comforts that didn’t satisfy and desire bondage over freedom and embrace a false sense of security? Those silly Israelites.

But I feel that. I am the forgetful one who has to be reminded repeatedly of God’s deliverance; that intimacy with Jesus is better than holding onto life as I know it; that God is a good father who gives good gifts. What is there for me to fear when God is for me?

Hebrews 12:26-29 reads:

“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.""

When my world feels like it is being shaken, this passage reminds me that God is the one doing the shaking in order to let that which does not last fall away. God is drawing me closer to him, deepening my trust in his goodness. And God is reminding me that I can trust him with my life.

May you be reminded that God is good and trustworthy when everything else cannot hold up to the weight of this world. May you find comfort in God’s enduring faithfulness. May you have eyes to see what remains when everything else fades away.

 This Sunday we are joining our brothers and sisters of Riversgate, Missio and Multnomah Presbyterian for SW Church Together. It will look different than it has in years past, but we still wanted to stay connected as faith communities.  

During the COVID-19 season Pastors Andy, Dominic, Danny and myself have still been meeting regularly to hear about how our churches our doing and to pray for one another. It has truly been uplifting to have churches work together for the common goal of sharing Jesus with our neighborhood. It has reminded me of Paul’s words in Philippians 2:1-2: 

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

It is great to be in partnership with such great brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage one another in Christ, to comfort and love, to lean on each other during struggles, and to celebrate with the full family of God.  

However, as I mentioned, the SW Church Together service will look a bit different this year. All of our churches are meeting in different ways and at different times during this season. Missio and Multnomah Presbyterian are still meeting via Zoom on Sunday mornings, Riversgate is still prerecording their services, and we are having in-person gatherings along with streaming.  

So how do we do SW Church together…but separate?

Well, that is the question the four of us pastors wrestled with. The desire is to keep it as a celebration service together but without causing too much disruption for all the churches.  

As we bounced ideas off one another, here is what we have settled on. This week the SW Church Pastors will all gather and record us all discussing what have been the biggest struggles and biggest victories during this season. Each church will play the video in the unique ways that they are gathering as churches. 

For GPBC, we will still gather and have live worship at church and live streaming for our 9:00 am service on Facebook and YouTube. We will play the video during the service and spend some time in prayer after the video is played, praying for all the churches and brothers and sisters in SW Church.  

So, this Sunday, come expecting to celebrate all that God is doing in SW Portland! Come ready to pray! Come ready to worship!

Ever notice how you can be staring something right in the face and still not see it? One of my most embarrassing examples is from adulthood.  

I was looking for my eyeglasses. I couldn’t find them anywhere. You see, I normally wear contact lenses, but it’d been a long day and my eyes, like the rest of me, were tired. I finally asked my roommate if she’d seen my eyeglasses anywhere. One eyebrow quirked upward as her face broke out in a grin. “You’re wearing your glasses,” she observed.  

Those supposedly missing-in-action eyeglasses weren’t just pushed up onto the top of my head like a hair accessory. Nope. I was looking right through them and didn’t realize they were there, perched on my own nose, providing the ability to see.  

And yet, I still couldn’t see what was, literally, right in front of me.

What was getting in the way? Things that had nothing to do with physical vision. Things like, forgetting that I’d already taken out my contact lenses earlier that evening. Things like, being so preoccupied that I was oblivious to the fact that I already had what I was looking for.

This year of 2020 sure has thrown a lot of curve balls. I feel the temptation to slip into those same places of forgetfulness and preoccupation with all the stuff going on around us that screams for attention, demanding to fill my horizon. Can you relate?

That’s when it’s such a gift to have a loving reminder to help us see what’s real and what’s true. What a good Father we have, Who, like my roommate that night, helps us to see what’s right in front of us again!  

Things like, as Jesus-followers, we’re already wearing our glasses that help us see as He does. “My Bride, look! The fields are ripe for harvest.” How ripe? More Muslims are coming to faith now than in any other period in history! Iran has the fastest growing church in the world!  

Things like, we are privileged to join with Him in robbing hell and filling up heaven. We’re granted an open invitation to be where He is, working with Him, following in the steps of Jesus. Not just here close to home, but in places where there are no known Jesus-followers. And yes, those places still exist.

Things like, remembering our corporate testimony with the King, especially our co-laboring history with Him. GPBC has been a sending church since its birth, faithfully seeding the hope and truth of Jesus here and overseas, in years both lean and plenty. Whether you’ve been a part of GPBC for months or years, you’re part of this rich heritage of obeying His Great Commission.  

Like so many other parts of our lives in 2020, this GP emphasis time looks a little different from past years. But let’s keep wearing our eyeglasses. We can still see as Jesus does. He’s still inviting us to partner with Him. And our corporate testimony with Him is still unfolding!

Each spring I step out into my backyard determined to bring forth this year my finest harvest of fresh vegetables from my raised beds. But as we reach the fall, I must admit that my efforts fell far short of my expectations once again – if only I had the green thumb of Doug & Joyce Wachsmuth! 

The Apostle Paul picks up this analogy of gardening when talking about the task of growing God’s kingdom. He says in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, 

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 

 As we consider the work of GPBC’s Global Partners and our part in it, let me remind you that all of us have the opportunity to be seed planters and plant waterers in God’s garden. Some of our seeds and water will produce harvests in places around the earth, but let us not forget the garden that we see each day around us. Neighbors to be loved. Family to be nurtured. Co-workers to be encouraged. Service workers to be noticed. Strangers to be welcomed. Needs to be met. 

 And that’s when God makes it grow. 

 The best seeds I watch in my work with Alpha get planted and watered through listening ears. It’s often where love becomes realized and experienced. David Augsburger said in his book, Caring Enough to Hear and Be Heard, 

“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable.” 

 Did you notice how critical our part is in God’s plan? The passage goes on to say ,“We are co-workers in God’s service.” The Holy Spirit weaves his message through our words and actions to crack the hard shells of resistance and open people to the transforming experience of encountering him. 

 May the seeds we plant this fall and the watering we do through winter create a garden filled with the best produce in the year ahead – far beyond what we could even ask or imagine. Now that’s a gardening story I want to tell! 

 Kirk Petersen- Alpha Northwest Director, GPBC Global Partner 

2020, The Year of the Interrupted Life. This is the year that people all over the world will be telling the next generations about, about how our lives became unpredictable and about how adapting to new circumstances and new information became an almost daily necessity. The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted the lives of individuals, families, businesses, and churches; even more so the fires and smoke of the last couple of weeks.

But it was the pandemic that interrupted our plans for the Global Partners Emphasis. We’ve typically dedicated three Sundays in the Spring, usually in April, right after Easter, to draw your attention to the service and sacrifice of the 16 individuals, families, and agencies that represent us around the world. But by mid-March, it was clear we wouldn’t be able to do that. 

Our Global Partners team decided to postpone the GP Emphasis rather than cancel it altogether. The Elder team readily agreed that our Global Partners are an important component of the church’s purpose and commitment and should not be neglected by canceling the emphasis outright.

I hope you’ve heard by now that the new dates for the GP Emphasis are October 4 and 11. The GP team chose “Beyond 20/20 Vision” as the theme for this year’s emphasis. It was intended to convey our conviction that, as clearly as we might ‘see’ what the Lord wants us to do globally this year, we must align our vision with what he wants for the years to come. This theme has taken on even more relevance in view of the global interruption of ministry plans by the pandemic. 

We have two exciting speakers lined up. On October 4, Pastor Dr. David Witt, the founder and CEO of Spirit of Martyrdom, International (SOM), spiritofmartyrdom.com, will be preaching in both services. SOM exists to assist and equip Christian leaders in persecuted regions worldwide. SOM’s church planter training effort in India has been the recipient of our Advent Conspiracy gifts for the purchase of bicycles for graduates recently. And then, on October 11, our own Rees Bettinger, our former Global Partner to Tajikistan, is excited to challenge us to get on with reaching the world for Jesus. 

An important part of each year’s GP Emphasis is to ask you to pledge financial support for our Global Partners for the coming year. Because of the postponement of the emphasis, we are asking you to pledge an amount just for the first six months of 2021. Each household will receive in the mail in the next week a packet of GP Emphasis materials, including a pledge card for your convenience. You may also make a pledge on the Global Partners page of our church website at https://www.pdxchurch.org/serve/global-partnerships/. The GP team will use the total of these pledges to determine the GP budget for January through June 2021.

Thank you, Greater Portland Bible Church, for your generous support of our precious Global Partners over many years. Please be praying now for what our Lord would have you pledge. 

For the Global Partners team,

Pastor Wayne
Global Partners Director

I miss you all.  

Most of you have been experiencing this pandemic since March. We, the Murphy’s, have just started to experience it. We returned from a trip to Israel and Egypt in late March. I had the time to take on those tasks I have been successful in avoiding for years. As my list grew shorter, we had a conversation with our son. He and his family live in southern California. Both he and his wife, Shyla, are in the Navy. Both had to work and had few, if any, resources for our three grandkids while they were working. As a result, I drove to San Diego to pick them up and bring them to Portland. All this to say have had our three grandchildren with us since late April. Three of them; 10, 6, and 4 years old. We have been so busy we didn’t really have time to get bored. There is a reason why God, in his plan, had young people have children. Now that they are back in southern California, we find ourselves living in a very quiet house. 

Almost immediately after they left, I received a request from Janice Fry to assist her with the Food Pantry by taking it over for three months while she took a very highly deserved and necessary break. She has overseen that ministry for nine years without a break. 

I, like most of us at Greater Portland, know about the Food Pantry. It is a ministry that is perfectly tailored to the calling we all have from Jesus.
Matthew 25:34–40

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

To be completely honest, when I got this request from Janice, I was less than excited. I was really looking forward to that quiet time in our house. I do know and believe in this Food Pantry ministry, though. Plus, Janice promises she will be back in three months. 

Stepping into her shoes has been satisfying and enlightening. As I grasped hold of the level of commitment from all the 30 or so volunteers and their hearts to serve, I am shocked and honored to be counted among them. Some of them do multiple food pickups each week and then return to distribute food on Saturdays. Since the pandemic, we have stopped having people enter the church to pick up their food. Instead, our guests drive their cars to the front of the building and receive a pre-packed box assembled by the volunteers. Each week volunteers put together 76 boxes of food to distribute. As the cars approach, it is amazing to see how the volunteers interact with each one of the guests. It is clear that relationships have formed and people, who may have no history with a church, are being ministered to. If, for any number of reasons, we don’t distribute all 76 boxes to guests and there is an excess, they are taken to a Spanish church ministry in outer SE Portland. We also distribute food to Neighborhood House and Pamoja House. 

OK. If you are still reading this. Here is the ASK. We could use some help. Especially from younger, healthier, outgoing, friendly, and more energetic people. People who believe in this calling we all have from Jesus. The food distribution on Saturday is demanding. Volunteers start arriving at 11:00 to sort and prepare the boxes. Guests don’t start receiving food until 1:00. All the volunteers are hustling to get the food sorted and the boxes packed for two hours prior to spending the hour distributing them to guests. Then…we get to do all the cleaning up. Each and every one of our volunteers are vital to this ministry. If you are willing, we invite you to join us. 

I will finish with this, John 21:15–19: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Join us. We welcome you. Give me a call if you are interested: 503-730-2430.

It is our pleasure to work alongside you as we serve Him.

Pat 

“Stop! I want to get off! Life isn’t supposed to be like this!" I wonder if Adam and Eve ever said that to themselves or to each other. Certainly not while they were in the beauty of the Garden of Eden and enjoying intimate fellowship with God, but after their fall, no doubt. Every aspect of their lives changed—except that they continued to be loved by their Creator. God never stopped loving
them, and thankfully—gratefully—He never stops loving us.

Greetings my friends, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! “To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ. Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance” (Jude 1: 1-2).
“…Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come…” (Revelation 1:4).

And now I say to you, “to God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Portland, Tigard, Beaverton, King City, Sherwood, West Linn, Oregon City, Clackamas, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Canby, Scappose, Mollala, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, Aurora, Hillsboro, Aloha, Newberg, Klamath Falls, Bend, Hermiston, Prineville, Vancouver, Ryderwood, West Bloomfield…and the world: Grace and peace be yours in abundance” (A Lewis paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:1).

As I was asked to write this blog, my thoughts went out to all of you. It’s been so long since I’ve seen our community together that I just felt a need to greet you in the name of Jesus. As I did this, I felt I was getting a glimpse into how it must have felt for some of the writers of the Epistles as they greeted believers in the early church who they could not see in person. The sense of urgency to connect with other believers, to remind, encourage, and to spur other believers on in the name of Jesus was of utmost importance to these early writers.

There were so many distractions and difficulties that many were losing perspective, they were losing hope. They were forgetting the truth of Jesus. Does this at all sound familiar to what many are experiencing today? In a way, I feel like Sam in The Lord of the Rings: “‘I wonder what sort of tale we have fallen into.’” We are experiencing a serious world-wide pandemic that I never imagined would hit us in the United States. Political and civil unrest is occurring throughout our nation, in our very own cities, and even causing dissension in some of our families and/or inner circles of friends. People are being treated unjustly and many are in financial ruin. People are hurting, fearful, without hope.

Now I have certainly read about catastrophic events and relationship issues happening in Biblical times. I’ve read about unrest, health, and other crises happening in other parts of the world, and read about those things that have happened in our own nation’s history. I have personally experienced times of
crises in my own life and in the lives of others. But I naively, never thought that all these things would be happening at the magnitude they are in our world today, in our country today, in our very lives today. And yet, why am I surprised? First Peter 4:12-13 tells us,

“Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you. Instead, be really glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed” (TLB).

So what do we as Christ-followers do? One of the dialogues in J.R.R.Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings between Frodo, a hobbit whose quest it is to destroy a Ring that epitomizes the power of evil, and Gandalf, a wizard, goes like this:

Frodo: “‘I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.’”
Gandalf: “‘So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.’”

I’m with Frodo. I wish all this craziness that is happening here and now was not happening. I don’t like it one bit, and yet God is allowing it, so my responsibility is to decide what I am going to do with the time that is given to me. What will I allow or choose to be my focus? Will I focus on events, other people, my own fears? Or will I place my focus on the Blessed Controller of all things and how I can be Jesus to others?

One of the things I do know, and am ever so grateful for, is that I do not have to step into this journey on my own. Jesus is always, always with me. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them [circumstances, people, my own thoughts, etc…] for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). We can be confident, always, that we have not been forsaken or abandoned by God. There are times in our lives, however, where the road we’re on is so hard that we don’t feel that confidence. We find ourselves in crisis mode and we need, even though we may not necessarily want, someone to come alongside us and be Jesus in the flesh.

That thought brings to mind another analogy from Lord of the Rings. Frodo has decided he needs to go on the treacherous quest where evil abounds on his own because it’s too dangerous for anyone to accompany him. He has gotten into a boat and is rowing away from the shore when his best friend Sam finds him and runs into the water after him. Sam does not want Frodo to go on alone, he wants to be at his side. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwqRtWQQVy4

Frodo: “No Sam, I’m going to Mordor alone.’”
Sam: “Of course you are. And I’m coming with you!”

Later on in the story, when Frodo cannot physically go on, and yet he’s the only one that can take the Ring to where it needs to go to be destroyed, Sam is crying and says, “Come on Mr. Frodo. I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you!” And he does that very thing. Oh, how these two scenes remind me of what our church’s Stephen’s Ministry is all about.

Dear friends, this is not an easy time for any of us. In addition to the present crises in our nation and how they are impacting us, many of us are experiencing other personal hardships as well. Financial strain, health issues—either our own or others—relationship strains, divorce, school, issues with our children, empty nest, death of loved ones, job transitions or terminations, aging, pregnancy or miscarriage, and the list goes on.
 
Our church’s Stephen Ministry is made up of people who have been trained to meet with you one-on-one to walk alongside you as you go through these difficult times. This is our passion. I can hear each Stephen minister say to you in whatever you’re going through, “….and I’m coming with you!” Stephen Ministers are not the ones to solve your problems or to tell you what to do, but they are there to walk alongside you, help you process and help carry you through the moment you’re in. You don’t have to go it alone. You were never meant to.

If you would like someone to come alongside you, or perhaps it is your passion to learn how to be a Stephen Minister and have the privilege of walking alongside others and being Jesus to them, please contact Stephen Ministry at stephenministry@pdxchurch.org or call the church office at 503-452-9375, and someone will get in touch with you.

This coming Sunday, we all have an opportunity to be Jesus to our community as we gather together in one of the two in-person worship services. Please remember to show respect and compassion to each person present. Wear your mask and be sure to maintain a safe physical distance. I know this will be hard
for many of us who might like to hug or shake hands with people we haven’t seen for awhile, but we need to put others’ well-being in front of our own. Many are still very concerned about contracting the virus, so let us all be aware, sensitive, and understanding to each person’s comfort zone. Here’s a cute video I came across as I was doing my online preparation for the start of school. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1gSDVl-lPg May it serve as a light-hearted reminder for us to keep a safe distance and be respectful to others.

God bless you Greater Portland Bible Church! Here’s to persevering together in whatever comes our way, and looking forward to the day when “…you (we) will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed.” And now, I leave you with this. “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

All Glory and Honor be to our God!

God moves in miraculous ways! During this pandemic we have seen God continue to draw people closer to Him by freeing up our time and breaking down the walls and distractions in our lives. One of the opportunities God put before us was to reach out to the families living in the Habitat for Humanity homes adjacent to our church property through a weekly ministry known as the Fun Wagon! We know families, and especially children, are struggling with the loss of social interaction and the lack of summer activities. The Fun Wagon let us show love to those families throughout the summer. Every week we brought toys and goodies for the families allowing us to build relationships as we got to know them. You know what? It worked! This week we held an end of the summer celebration with the Habitat families, and they were excited to be in community with us! It was the first time we invited them to join us at GPBC, and they came! During the event we were able to laugh and share with one another, building on our blossoming friendships! 

As we look at the new school year, families are facing online distance learning until at least November. We know the continued social isolation and loss of activities will be difficult for children, and the added stress of trying to learn through a computer screen can cause many students to struggle academically. God is giving us another opportunity to reach out and draw our community in by demonstrating His love and care for their needs. Starting in September we will be offering a Homework Club and an Art Club for Habitat for Humanity and GPBC families! Starting September 23, students (pre-K–12th) and parents can come to the Homework Club every Wednesday, 4:30–6:00pm, for help with their schoolwork. The Art Club (5th–Adult) will meet on Tuesdays, 3:00–4:30pm, starting September 29. Ruth Miller will lead 4 weeks of engaging art projects to explore our creative side. Additional details for both the Homework Club and the Art Club will be emailed next week. We pray these clubs will allow GPBC families to continue to reach our community and help them see Jesus!

One of the most difficult results of the pandemic has been the loss of church community. Meeting in person is so vital to our spiritual health. That is why Paul in Hebrews 10:24-25 says this to the church:

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

I am SOOOOO excited that starting on Sunday, September 13, we will be meeting in-person, together once again! We will have two services—9:00am and 11:00am. Youth ministry and children’s ministry programs will meet during the 11:00am service. I look forward to worshiping our glorious Lord together. You will receive more information via email this Sunday with details on how to register for each service. I pray God will continue to help us build relationships with our neighbors, so we can invite them to join us on Sunday mornings. See you soon!

It has been a blast to add on being the Interim Youth Director at Greater Portland Bible Church. We started gathering in person at the start of July and have created the rhythm of a mid-week bright spot during one of the most challenging times I have ever known youth to face. Our focus this summer has been on hope, joy and peace during this pandemic. Our theme verse is...

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

How does the bible define hope, joy and peace? We have looked at people in the bible who were in the midst of suffering and simultaneously filled with hope, joy and peace anchored in a deep faith that God keeps his promises.

Everyone any age can get on board with wanting hope in 2020. The biblical definition of hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness. In similar words, Hebrews 10:23 says this about hope, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”  We release God's hope when we are full-of-faith encouragers in our circumstances, to others and even to our own self. 

God exemplified encouragement when a beside himself Elijah turned to God while hiding, hungry and scared. God loves when we turn to him for rest, step into purpose and trust in Jesus. We actually have read through a lot of familiar stories for a look at hope, from David’s encounter with Goliath as well as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s experiences with the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzer. All of these young believers possessed a good understanding of God’s word with a firm faith that boldly produced hope for themselves and others in hard circumstances. 

When it comes to joy, the bible points to joy that is available to us during pain and suffering that is internal. We were all made by our loving God who fully knew we would be on earth at this time of the world. It’s always a good time to discover, develop and deploy our God given gifts.

Nehemiah led by God, negotiated, assessed, planned and directed an incredible accomplishment of rebuilding the walls of protection around Jerusalem. Walls that lay crumbled awaited a Nehemiah to lead an extreme makeover. His assessment upon completion? “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”- Nehemiah 8:10. Unleash the Lord’s joy by doing what He made you to do. Jesus modeled it during his time on earth in the midst of tumultuous circumstances—he did so much inspiring, performing miracles, loving well, teaching the tough stuff and giving his life to conquer death for EVERYONE.

We will be talking about peace for the rest of August encouraging ourselves that biblical peace is not temporary and promised to us by God. We will focus on our choices, holy living and prayer life. This summer the Youth who have showed up week after week have been kind to listen to me excitedly read the bible and encourage them to grow their faith.

We are also about serving, playing lots of games, laughing and sharing life. Youth have had opportunities to serve this summer by taking the Fun Wagon over to the Habitat for Humanity housing and helping at the Children’s ministry Bingo Night. We have been dodging balls, slip’n’sliding, nerf battling, playing capture the flag, enjoying tag variations with pool noodles and making a lot up as we go. 

I am joined by an incredible leadership team of awesome adults that show up voluntarily that are a blessing to me and our youth. I get teary eyed over how much our group all need this summer’s youth ministry, all of it.

Thank you Lord for your hope, your joy and your peace in this time!

I know it’s been a while since we’ve seen one another, but know you are loved, thought about and prayed for often. We all are in the Father’s hands.
   
Whole-hearted! That’s been on my mind and stirring my heart lately. What does it mean to be whole-hearted? Am I ever truly living with all my heart set, fixed, on one thing? As I’m even thinking now, my mind wanders to: “Is everything ready for the coming meal; Wow, what a nice sunny day, should I be outside writing this instead of inside, and What happened last night in our city?" See? I am thinking about being whole-hearted but BLAM, my mind tugs me into a million directions. So when I hear about loving God and you with a whole heart, I am not sure I understand what that means.

Wholly devoted to the ones I love is the phrase that first comes to mind. Be wholly committed, sold out, all in. Hmmmmm. I hear echoes of the Shema in this thinking: “Hear oh Israel, the Lord our God is One. Love Him with all you heart, soul, mind and strength.” Now that’s a call to being whole-hearted in living out the invitation to fully know God and live in a way that ensures we please Him.  
 
Greg’s sermon this last Sunday spoke directly to this idea by challenging us to “live love.” (pdxchurch.org/grow/sermons/living-love/) I appreciated Greg’s challenge and the examples of either living for Jesus or against Jesus. There’s hate or there’s love. This is the prompt for asking myself the next, natural question, “How do I live in a way that’s wholly committed to Jesus?" Whole-hearted.  

Being halfhearted is my natural state. I mean I am excited about quite a few things: hot chocolate chip cookies, time with family, getting the demands of work and home right. I’m quite indifferent to other things: finding green vegetables in my foods, chugging through the weekly chores and having to fill up a tank of gas. I respond quite negatively to lots of things, too: a baby slug on the fork full of lettuce I’m about to eat, hateful raging replacing civil discourse in our streets or through the media, when I disappoint or hurt the people around me, and seeing selfishness overtaking kindness between the people I know who should be striving to care for each other. But all these emotions and situations point to a wishy-washy, halfheartedness on my part. My heart flies between each of those states: joy, a shrug of my shoulder and an emotionally charged “I don’t believe what I just heard…”  Is there a way to be whole-hearted that will move me away from this and into a better, overarching way of living.

I love where Paul recognizes this state in the people in Colossae, people struggling with keeping their focus on one thing. The focus in that place and time switching from God to the world; being halfhearted to both. He’s challenging them and reminding them that life is best lived with minds set on Jesus and not the world. Chapter three states, telling the Jesus followers “to put on compassionate hearts” and to “bear with one another, forgive one another and to love one another.” He encouraged them and is encouraging me to be whole-hearted. Jesus came to give me new life and a new heart. I need to respond to Him and his life in me, daily. That will set me up on the path to living with an undivided or whole heart. I must admit that I so often forget that I am changed.

When I accepted Jesus as my savior, the transformation or transfer from worldly living to Godly living occurred. But my heart still waffles back and forth. I guess I need to be more attentive to starting each day asking Jesus to remind me that my heart is His, and let Him know I want to be whole-hearted today. I will tell Jesus, “Thank you for making my heart new in you! Would you help me to fully give you my heart today and keep me from giving my heart to all the other things and ideas that want me?” So I will need to start each day talking to Jesus about this. That’s the place for me to start being more whole-hearted.

The second part after asking Jesus for the daily heart check, is what do I do when those situations and people threaten to disrupt my focus and call my heart away? When the need arises, I want to be ready to apply Paul’s words, “to bear with one another, forgive one another and to love one another.” My plan must mirror Jesus: bear with those people and situations who trigger me by being understanding. Forgive the slights and deeper injuries as they occur. Don’t wall off part of my new heart and go back to keeping scores. Then, most importantly, look for and begin cultivating ways to love as a first response, not anger, distrust and rejection. Try love first.

Isn’t that why God went forward, even before creation, to come and live the perfect life, to be the perfect sacrifice and to purchase our freedom of heart, body and soul, if we accept him? He came to make us His, to put His spirit into us, making whole-hearted children by His power and whole-hearted, loving sacrifice. Jesus was never halfhearted.
  
I must admit that the days and times we’re living challenge my capacity to live out of a heart fully set on Jesus. I am tugged away in all directions over worries about today and tomorrow, concerns for family, the indefinite length of time and impact of this pandemic, frustrations over the loss of a whole way of life, and the uncertainty of when things will be “normal.” Right? I see so many needs and my own lack of capacity or understanding to be able to influence change. But I do have control over directing my thoughts, emotions and actions every day. So that’s why I’ve been thinking about my own need to give my heart fully, wholly to Jesus, and pray to Him, knowing He alone holds my heart. It makes so much sense that I give it to Him daily. Jesus’ Spirit in me will help attune me to Himself: heart, mind, body and soul.  

Later in chapter three of Colossians, Paul shares, “And above all these things put on love, which brings everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were indeed called in one body. And be thankful.” 

There it is! If I strive to be whole-hearted for Christ each day, His peace comes. His love comes and overflows into all the concerns and tugs of daily life. There’s a hope we have as we’re united and made whole-hearted as the family of Jesus.

Thank you for being my faith family. Know that I care and am striving to be made more like Jesus, starting in my heart.

During my preparation for the sermon this week I landed on John 13:35 and I rested there for a while:

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

As Jesus followers, love is to be our calling card. Specifically, how we love God and how we love one another.  

The world around us notices how we speak about each other, how we treat one another, the way we serve people in our community, and how we support each other. It is the calling card by which people will see that Jesus is real to us.  

Imagine loving each other as Jesus loved his disciples. The disciples were a rag tag group of men that got confused by Jesus, that often questioned his tactics, that bailed on him in his time of need, and even denied knowing him. Jesus still loved that group of men, those friends.  

My question then becomes if Jesus loved a group like that so much, why is it hard for us to love at times? If Jesus can love me, there is no excuse that I can’t love as he loved.  

Paul gives us some good directives on what is not love and what is love in Galatians 5:19-24:

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

The first part lists the works of the flesh. If you are like me, then you may have even struggled with some of these this very week. We are still being made holy, and God is still sanctifying us, which means we will fail, every single one of us. It also means we will need tons of grace from God and one another. Church, I am not perfect. I will need grace. You are not perfect, and you too will need grace.  

What if we had that kind of love for one another? That Jesus kind of love. Jesus loved that rag tag group of disciples that fell flat on their face time after time, yet Jesus gave grace and love over and over. Let’s have that same love for each other. Love needs to be our first fruits.  

Look at what Paul says the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That is Jesus love. That is the love we are all called to give to one another.

My encouragement to you, Greater Portland, is to continue to love each other as Jesus has loved us. That love will reveal Jesus to the world. That love will bond us together where nothing can break us apart. That love will sanctify us and make us more like Jesus.  

Hey campers! This is our annual church campout weekend! This is the weekend I’ve looked forward to every year for almost 30 years. I love the smell of campfire smoke. I love sitting around the campfire with friends old and new and talking about things heavy and trivial. I love the quiet of the early morning and the noise of happy kids on their bikes and skateboards. I love the solitude of Saturday afternoon when everyone else is on the float trip, and I love the crowded fellowship of the Saturday evening potluck and the campfire worship. I like camping in general, but I really love camping with the church I love.

But, as you know, and it pains me to say it, our church campout has been COVID-cancelled this year. Barton Park, as most other campgrounds, will not allow gatherings of any size, not even cross-campsite visiting: no potlucks, no worship, no friends around the campfire, no sharing meals, and no helping each other set up camp. In other words, no fellowship, which is the main reason we do it every year and the main reason we love it. The campout has been rained out a few times over the years, but I can’t remember it ever being cancelled. It is (and here comes one of our favorite words of the COVID crisis) unprecedented! 

We may not be able to camp together for a weekend, but that doesn’t mean we can’t fellowship together. We can gather in groups of about 10 in back yards or big rooms. Fellowship can happen at six feet! Paulette and I have hosted several delightful small gatherings in our back yard, including sitting around a firepit with friends old and new and talking about things heavy and trivial. I encourage you to be intentional about making such opportunities and taking such opportunities in the weeks ahead. In this unprecedented time, we may even be able to experience an unprecedented level of Christian fellowship.

We Christians can appreciate “unprecedented” better than most. So much about Christianity is unprecedented. God’s unimaginably great love for us, when he has every reason not to, is unprecedented. That the Creator would actually become one of us, a creature, so we could know him well, is unprecedented. The life that Jesus lived, totally as God intended humans to live life, is unprecedented. That the incarnate God would allow himself to be tortured and killed, taking the punishment that we deserved, is unprecedented. That God will actually join himself to humans, that he lives in anyone who trusts in Jesus, is unprecedented.

Cancelling the campout is unprecedented. The COVID pandemic is unprecedented. But let’s keep perspective. Even a world-wide health crisis is a small thing compared to the unprecedented things God has done for us. 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” That, my friends, is truly unprecedented.

Which is true? “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” or “Out of sight, out of mind.”

We have been absent from each other, at least in the form of physical Sunday morning gatherings, for over 19 weeks. That is four and a half months. Come September, if Multnomah County doesn’t reach Phase 2, we’ll have spent possibly half a year separated, physically, from our church family on Sundays.

It’s something we never anticipated or expected would happen, nor would we have chosen this way of “being the church.”

Long separations are hard on relationships. As Paulette Williams teaches, relationships are built on disclosure, mutuality, and time. Proximity helps facilitate all three of those. I would imagine that your strongest relationships, even with those whom presently live far away, began with or had a strong period of proximity in them that grew each into what they are today.

If you’ve ever had to build or maintain a long-distance relationship, you know how intentional you have to be with it. Ten years ago, when I was dating a guy who lived in Montana, we worked hard to talk on the phone or text every day. After six months of that, I was about as sick of talking on the phone as I am of jumping on a Zoom call these days. It’s hard! But it’s worth it because without any communication, the relationship cannot grow.

Our relationship as a church family is no different. In these days of separation, social distancing, and gathering size limits, our connection and relationship as a faith community has the potential to take a hit. 

Some absence does make the heart grow fonder, but the longer a relationship is separated, the more new routines, new interests, and new priorities can take over to fill the void of the missing connection. 

Your relationship to the body of Christ is no exception and is one I would strongly encourage you not to let float “out of sight, out of mind.”

This is where a little intentionality and ingenuity are required. For now, gone are the days where we can simply show up on Sunday mornings and have these relationships grow a little more. That easy road is gone. Even separated, we are still the church and all the promises and instructions for the church found in the New Testament still exist, which is why we’ve been digging into James and 1 John together during our online services. The Word and the Spirit still have much to guide us in being the church in this pandemic. 

COVID-19 doesn’t look to be leaving us any time soon (although I know we are praying otherwise), and we are currently in one of the most beautiful places we can be during summer: the Pacific Northwest. Seize these remaining weeks of amazing weather and make it one of your goals to build your relationship with the church. No, I don’t mean the institution. I mean with the people of God. 
Connect with your small groups outside. (If you want to get placed in a small group, we’ll help you do that! Just email us at smallgroups@pdxchurch.org.) Invite both old and new friends over for backyard get-togethers. Call someone in the church you’ve never really gotten to know and invite them to take a walk with you or even just connect over the phone. Bake treats and run around town delivering them. Go TP Greg’s house. I’m sure he’ll feel the love.

I don’t know about you, but I’m struggling right now. I am on edge, anxious, scared, and angry. Not only because of COVID, but also because Barry lost his job mid-March.

For years, I attempted to address stress with alcohol. I would drown myself with whatever wine was on sale that week. I would numb myself so that I wouldn’t FEEL. I worked hard to hide my alcoholism from my family and to ensure that my drinking didn’t affect my work.

It didn’t work.

I was left with broken relationships, disciplinary action from work, and lots of pain.

That was many years ago and today (with 28 years of sobriety) I have learned to navigate stress in a different way.

1. Sit quietly and pray
2. Get with nature
3. Help others

There is nothing that starts my day better than sitting quietly, before anyone has gotten up, and praying. My prayer time is a two-way conversation with God. I speak…I listen. Jeremiah 29:12 tells us that, “Then you can call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

I need a daily dose of tall trees and bird singing. I feel closest to God when I am in His creation. My walk (or run) gives me peace and joy. Psalm 104:24, “How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creation.” 

I am an “order restorer” with the company Restoring Order. I help people with their organizing needs. It really is a ministry. I serve my clients with not only what’s going on in their homes but also what’s going on INSIDE! 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

These are challenging times, and more than ever I am practicing three helpful disciplines of finding rest and peace on a daily basis. And if I need more comfort, there’s nothing that a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies can’t fix! 

The title page of the the July/August 2020 edition of Christianity Today magazine caught my attention this past week. It stated, “Vanishing Vows” with the subtitle, “Can the church save what’s left of marriage?” Andy Olsen, managing editor of the magazine began his introduction article writing, “Marriage is hard. Plenty of institutions attest to that: couples therapy, couples retreats, and, of course, divorce. But a good marriage isn’t just difficult to sustain; it can be difficult to get off the ground. For many who want to tie the knot, finding a mate is the least of problems amid more daunting financial or cultural headwinds.” He shares the example of a church in Dallas, Texas: “More than 80 couples have been married so far in collective ceremonies at Concord Church, part of a program to get lovers to stop living together and make some real vows. The church seeks to remove as many excuses for non-commitment as possible. It covers all wedding costs, provides more than a year of marriage counseling and mentorship, and even pays a month of rent for cohabitating couples who choose to live apart instead.”

However, there was another article in the magazine by sociologist Mark Regnerus who writes the alarming reality is “that most couples no longer see anything worthwhile across that bridge. The rapid loss of interest in matrimony is not due to its prohibitive cost but rather to its lack of perceived benefits. This comes even as, ironically, those who have already crossed the bridge are finding that marriage offers unparalleled shelter in stormy times, including global pandemics.”

The managing editor, Andy Olsen concludes with the following, ”This shift landscape poses massive challenges for those who champion the value of marriage. Can matrimony be saved? The answer probably will not depend on legislation or messaging. More likely, salvation will hinge on how well communities—particularly church communities—model marriages that provoke people to say, as Carter told Christianity Today: ‘That’s what I need. Help me to get there!’”

As a community, our desire is to continue to champion the value of marriage and to help all our couples get there! Several announcements have been made inviting all our couples in our church to take the Prepare and Enrich Couple Checkup. This is a gift for the couples in our church. Please receive this gift because we value marriages and want you to grow in your relationships.

We are sending an e-mail today with all the information for the couples to do this checkup each online individually. Your personalized couple’s report will be made available to you privately, and you will be able to use the information to enhance your marriage. Doug and I took the checkup this past week, and it took 30 minutes per individual. The results are made available as soon as you both complete the checkup. We have been married for 52 years and know the value of working on the relationship to last a lifetime. With this recent checkup we were able to see our strengths and weaknesses and have had discussions to help us grow in our marriage now. 

Our leadership desires to model healthy marriages for our community. Please join us in helping each other get there! Let’s counter that title of “Vanishing Vows” for God’s honor and glory!

I know that not being able to meet as a faith community is difficult. I want to take a moment to encourage you by sharing what God is doing in Children’s Ministry!

As our church moved to online worship services, Children’s Ministry created online content for our families to use as they seek to grow closer to Jesus at home. We saw two benefits from our online lessons. The first is the opportunity to get GPBC kids and students involved in teaching the Bible. Children connect to God with their whole hearts, and it is always such a blessing when we get to learn from a child! The second benefit is the ability to reach beyond our church walls. I have family and friends from all over the country who do not follow Jesus, and several of the people I pray for are watching these online lessons! I continue to pray that God will use our online services to reach people who may not feel comfortable walking into a church building as they open their hearts to Jesus!

Another blessing has been visiting GPBC families at their homes! The staff traveled to our graduating seniors and 5th grade students as we celebrated them entering the next phase of their lives! The Children’s Ministry team also delivered special summer fun packages to each of the kids at GPBC to let them know they are loved! It was very encouraging to visit and pray with GPBC families (while maintaining social distance

“God Is Good!” is a phrase heard in many elder meetings—especially this time of year. June is the month that the elders work with ministry leaders to finalize budgets for the next fiscal year. I continue to be amazed at how God provides for the ministries at Greater Portland. 

You give so generously of your resources—time, talents, money, and skills to serve Greater Portland and the surrounding communities of southwest Portland. God works through so many of you to provide for our ministries. A couple weeks ago an email was sent out asking for continued support of our Global Partners, and before the week’s end you stepped in to help shore up their budget. 

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)

I want to take a moment to say THANK YOU! Thank you for your constant prayers for the elders and ministry leaders. Thank you for your steadfast faithfulness in the giving of tithes and offerings. Thank you for the continued trust in the elders and ministry leaders to be good stewards in the use of these funds to reach Greater Portland, our community, and around the world with the message of the gospel.

I so look forward to being able to meet in person. Until then, please join us online. This week Wayne Williams teaches as we continue our series in 1 John—Of Love and Victory.

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, 
and desperately wicked. 
Who really knows how bad it is? 
But I, the LORD, search all hearts 
and examine secret motives.”
                Jeremiah 19:9,10

Someone has said that one of the strengths of Christianity is that it is thoroughly pessimistic about the human condition. The ancient prophet Jeremiah said it quite bluntly in the verses above. Christianity understands that the heart is the real problem of the world. In the Bible, the heart is the source of who and what we are, our personhood. Our hearts drive us and shape us. 

But from at least our first conscious thought onward, our hearts are turned toward ourselves and away from the Creator of our hearts. Our hearts are not satisfied to be in the image of God, we want to be God in our life—and in the lives of others as much as possible. My comfort, my security, my acceptance, my pleasure, my rights are of paramount importance, even if it costs you yours. My heart’s obsession with myself is behind the worst evils of society.

Racism, then, should not surprise us. It is the product of a wicked heart that seeks superiority over people who are not exactly like us. It comes from a deceitful heart that refuses to see in itself and in others the image of God.

Rioting and destruction and looting should not surprise us. They are the products of wicked and deceitful hearts that seek power and recognition and satisfaction without regard for the harm done to others.

Murder should not surprise us. It has been a reality of humanity since the very first human family. It is the product of a wicked and deceitful heart that is so turned toward itself that the very life of another human is of no consequence. 

No sin, no evil should surprise us, the sins of others or the evil of our own hearts. What then are we to do? Are we Christians to passively wait for Jesus to return and make all things right? NO! The Bible says we who are followers of Jesus, the people of God, are, on his behalf, to protest injustice and proclaim justice. It says we are to speak up for and defend the oppressed. It says we are to give to the needy. It says we are to treat all humans with the honor and respect due to someone who bears the image of God. 

But the Bible also says that none of those things, which we are commanded to do, directly address the real problem of the heart. Our wicked and deceitful hearts must be made new, and only the Creator of our hearts can renew them. One of the very first things Jesus does in the life of someone who turns toward him and away from themselves is to begin to renew their heart. He forgives their wickedness and begins to cleanse it from them. He replaces it with a heart like his own and enables them to begin to see all people as he sees them. This is the only true hope for an end to the evils we are witnessing around us today, whether in one person or in society. 

That is why our greatest effort and highest priority must be helping people know Jesus and follow him. While we must speak out against the evils of our society on behalf of Jesus the righteous, we must also proclaim that the only elegant and lasting solution to those evils is the transformation of our hearts which only happens through faith in him.

[These thoughts and words were prompted by and echo Scott Nordlund’s excellent blog from last week. Be sure to read it or re-read it and watch again the video clip he included.]

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?- Micah 6:8

The Bible Project produced a helpful video about justice, righteousness, and how Jesus works through us to restore the oppressed. Although there is no mention of racism specifically, the message is powerful and timely. Please take a few minutes to watch it: Justice-The Bible Project

We know Jesus abhors injustice of any kind, and, as the church, we are called to proclaim his kingdom to the world by demonstrating love, compassion, generosity and justice to everyone. There are a lot of meaningful ways to do this such as feeding the poor, advocating for the needy and oppressed, and shining a spotlight on the injustice of racism through public protest. But it doesn't stop there.

In addition to outward activity for justice, we need to continue inviting the Spirit to convict us of any racism, discrimination or partiality still festering within. We also need the Lord's help to grow our awareness of the people and injustices we tend to overlook. Sins of discrimination are especially hard to admit, aren't they? No one wants to be known as a racist, and yet racism persists. We truly are a renewed and ever-renewing people, so we trust in Jesus for his good work to be completed in us.

Now that brings us to the most powerful way to help bring about lasting and profound justice in Portland. We can introduce people to Jesus! Only through Jesus will heaven and earth unite in the hearts of our neighbors, and many more will begin living out the love of God. 

But why does it sometimes seem so much harder to share the gospel than to advocate for justice in other ways? I don't like admitting it, but the answer for me is that I practice a form of discrimination in sharing (or not sharing) the gospel. I'm not aware of a hurdle within me based on race, but I know I have discriminated in other ways. I'm overly selective about entering into a new relationship, especially one that involves sharing the gospel. Sometimes, I don't want to start a conversation about Jesus because I feel insecure or "out of my comfort zone.” Other times, I simply wish to avoid an awkward interaction. Tragically, all of this means many people who need Jesus won't hear about him from me.

Maybe you have similar struggles? If so, you certainly are not the first to wrestle with discrimination when it comes to sharing the good news of Jesus. Even the Apostle Peter withheld the gospel from Gentiles until God confronted him in a vision.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him." - Acts 10:34-35

After such a declaration, you might expect that would be the end of racism for Peter, but a new setting exposed he had more to overcome. When Peter visited Paul in Antioch, he dined regularly with Gentiles, but later separated himself from them when other Jewish believers arrived. Paul says he confronted Cephas (Peter) to his face about this (Galatians 2:11-14). Hopefully, the stories of Peter's sin can help us overcome the shame of facing any injustice we are harboring in our hearts.

Later in Galatians, Paul expresses some of the beautiful community created when people "put on" Christ. I long to see this oneness community spread across our city.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:27-28

Remember, we have great news to share. God loves people, and he is eager to transform them from the inside out. Ask the Lord to search your heart and root out any discrimination, so you can go about living the love of Jesus and sharing the gospel with everyone God gives you.

When we started this journey into the unknown of the coronavirus, personally, I thought it would be over in a few weeks. Weeks have now turned into months. If we had a chance to talk about this over coffee face to face, our sharing would be similar and different at the same time.  

The first week for me was a little “scary” because we were encouraged  to “stay at home and be safe.” The term was lock down! Being in the vulnerable category of the population, my husband and I did not travel anywhere. For five weeks we ordered our groceries on line and wiped everything that came into our home. There were many questions about how this virus spreads, so we checked the news hoping to hear something different, but the message was the same, “Stay at home and be safe!”

I woke up one morning, and, it wasn’t an audible voice, but the phrase that came to mind was, “Jesus is enough.” I was startled because my heart was anxious and just that phrase brought peace to me. I found myself meditating on Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Each of our children were affected by the pandemic: Ted working at Portland Rescue Mission; Keoni and Michelle having to close their restaurant that has been in the family for 113 years; and Beth, being a Doctor of Physical Therapy was told that she may have to go and work at the hospital. The thought of not being able to touch my children and grandchildren was overwhelming. My heart was heavy. Praying was all I could do!

After the first couple of weeks Doug and I realized that we needed to adjust to being home all the time. For some of you it was getting used to having children at home and adjusting to having them do their school work online. Each of our children’s families have teenagers, and they shared that it was a blessing because they had more time as a family, but it was also adjusting to different issues of being in the home and that the children were missing their friends.

It took three weeks before Doug and I began to develop a rhythm in our schedule and to what we call now a “new” normal. Our time over breakfast became more meaningful because we had more time! We discussed what we were learning from being in the Word. We had more times of prayer. Doug found solace in working in the garden, and I enjoyed just being in the garden. I love listening to praise and worship music, especially the song,“Waymaker.” I played my favorite praise and worship songs over and over again. It really helped my spirit. I initiated listening to hymns and the Word of God on our Alexa before we went to bed. Taking walks in different parts of town became an adventure!

We started looking for long term projects that we had set aside. We decided to go through pictures that were stored in boxes. For three weeks we had boxes of pictures, divided into different categories in our living room, dining room and kitchen counter. We ended up making several posters for our grandchildren’s birthdays when we went to their homes to celebrate their birthdays in their yard!

Zooming with our staff and my women’s and evening small group became highlights for me. Zooming once a week with my extended family who reside in eight different states have been a blessing. I am an extrovert, and I get energized by being with people even if they are in squares! 

Watching different series on Netflix became a pastime and, along with that, was “munching” on snacks! It is so easy for me to turn to food for comfort.  

Another “new” normal that we have done for a month now, is memorizing scripture together as a couple. We have been married for 52 years, but we have never memorized scripture together. We laugh a lot as we struggle to remember the words! We have memorized six different scriptures and have used them in our lives in dealing with issues we have encountered. The first verse we memorized was a portion of Genesis 16:13; “You are the God who sees.”

Speaking with others I hear the same phrase, “I can’t wait for this to be over. I want to be with our church family!” I miss our community too, so let’s continue to pray for wisdom and discernment as we look forward to being together. It may have begun as a journey into the unknown of the coronavirus, but it really has been about my response and how and what the Lord has been teaching me on this journey. How are you coping with this pandemic?

Greetings! Is it crazy to think that we are almost half way through this incredibly unpredictable year? Maybe there is some hope in that of itself.  

Something even more jarring is that means it has almost been 6 months since Lara, Ransom and I have joined the Greater Portland family. I want to take a moment to say thank you. You all have been so loving and welcoming to our family. We are so grateful that God has led us to this specific faith community. So once again, thank you!  

When we began the interview process last year, I scoured the GPBC website to learn more about the rhythms of the church and one of the things that I stood out to me was the church camping trip. I am not going to lie…I got really excited about that! 

Now I didn’t get excited because I love camping, that is more of Lara and Ransom’s jam. But what a church campout communicated to me as an outsider is that there is a great love for one another if you are wanting to be around each other for consecutive days without showers. That tells me that you all love spending time together in true Christian fellowship. That is why I got excited!  

Community is something that I have always been drawn to. It gives me life. Community brings out something in each of us that we would have never known was there if we were alone. Connection makes us feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We get to see glimpses of heaven when we are around people that are different than us.  

This took my mind to Acts 2:42-47. It is one of the key scriptures of what true community is: 

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

This kind of community exemplifies what the family of Jesus is all about. Gathering around the word of God, eating with each other, sharing stories of God’s redeeming power, sharing and giving for the benefit of one another, eating again, and doing it all with pure joy.  

With hopeful hearts, we are continuing to plan as though the church campout will go on as planned. This would be a wonderful way for our family to get further acquainted with all of you. It would also be an amazing opportunity to invite friends that may not know Jesus to join us. To show them a little glimpse of heaven on earth through the power of community.  

So visit our website. Sign up. Invite your friends and let’s grow together in the gift of community. Oh, and if you want to find me at the campout, I will be in the river!

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

Dear friends,

Life, as we all are very aware of, is quite different these days. Personally, I feel like I have been walking through a revolving door of change for nearly six months now. Just when I started to familiarize myself with you all and the rhythm of our church community—wham! The pesky COVID-19 pandemic hits, and much of my time now is spent pivoting and readjusting and figuring it out each day.

I say that for two reasons. One is that I recognize many of you, and I have never had more than a few words spoken between us, so when we get to come back together again, it will be a wonderful experience to re-build new relationships and connections. The other reason I mention it is that the amount of energy it can take for me to deal with change can result in two possibilities: either being distracted by all the details and going into a tailspin OR becoming keenly aware of my utter dependence on God and relying on grace to see me through. And these two possibilities determine much of how I cope and how I come out on the other side.

The following is my offering to you of contemplation and confession and prayer. I first wrote this piece three years ago, but I keep coming back to it as a reminder to my heart that I need Jesus just as much in the calm as in the chaos.

You are in my very breath. You are with me when I wake with groggy, half-opened eyes, stumbling into the kitchen for my cup of coffee. You walk with me through the tasks of the day, from meetings to family time to preparing a meal or pulling those pesky weeds that won’t stop popping up. When I fall asleep with remains of laundry half done and a sink piled high with dishes, you are there. In all those small, everyday moments—there you can be found.

You accompany me in the unknown, too. In the waiting. The fear. The holding pattern that seems to have no end. The difficulties and losses and grief and heartache. The very depths and hidden parts of my soul. That pain which seems unbearable and incomprehensible—nothing is a mystery to you, for you know suffering all too well. You have held that weight before, even more intimately that I ever could.

You are in the spectacular and the mundane. You are in the glory and the mess. You are in my weeping and my joy. No minuscule detail of life is apart from you. Your fullness is evident in the simple and the intricate.

And yet…

I confess—that though I know these truths in my heart, I still can move through a day without acknowledging you. It’s easy to see you when your big and beautiful glory is on display. When I take in a sunset or climb to a mountaintop or dip my toes in the ocean waves, my whole being pauses and drinks you in. But in that which is ordinary or routine, I may fail to recognize all the many ways that you show up, all the opportunities you provide to reveal yourself to me. I sometimes forget that it’s all about you, and end up convincing myself it’s all about me.

So God, by your grace, would you remind me to practice speaking your name on my lips and in my heart? If your gentle voice beckoning me to yourself gets muffled by the din of distraction, would you break through and awaken me to the way of life? When the difficulties I face seem like giants and consume my hope, I pray that acknowledging your presence would testify of your goodness to my soul. Give me the desire and discipline to acknowledge you in every little thing, in every single day.

Amen.

Over the years, I’ve been mom and grandma to my own family and extended family. At various intervals, God has also brought into my home foster children, neighborhood children, international students, and anyone who needed a holiday invitation. Many, to my delight, have called me mom or grandma. I know this is also true for many of you who have stepped into the needs of children throughout your lives.

Some of you have never had children of your own, but you’ve been a mom or grandma figure as you’ve reached out in Jesus’ name and given freely of yourselves to little ones who have crossed your path. Others of you, because of separation from your own family, have adopted moms or grandmas. For many of us, our moms are no longer with us. Overall, emotions around Mother’s Day are mixed; life is never a Hallmark card, although it is nice to receive one.

On my walk in the neighborhood today, I passed a sign honoring those who are serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve all deepened our appreciation of first responders, heath care workers, and all the people who are bringing food to our tables. They deserve our honor. They fall in the category of “essential businesses.” Their job descriptions have expanded, and they’ve accepted the challenge.

There is one big category of essential businesses that is missing on all the lists: Moms. Moms are first responders and heath care workers who also put food on the table every day. Their job description defies definition. Simply stated, it’s do whatever is set before you. Moms have all lost those segments of time in their days when school is in session or other activities occupy the kids. They’re on for 24 hours every day. Wow, moms. How do you do it?

This beautiful characteristic that we witness in moms is also a core value that we see in Jesus. He, too, responds to whatever is set before Him 24 hours every day. He knows and understands the drill moms face each day, and He is standing near and available to be the Sustainer for each and every mom. If we’ll pause and listen, He will whisper tenderly in our ears, I made you in My image. When My Spirit is controlling your mind, you are filled with Life and Peace. Fix your eyes on Me, and see the light of My Presence shining on you. I take great delight in you. I rejoice over you with singing. (Gen. 1:26-27, Rom. 8:6, Heb.12:2, Ps. 89:15, Zep. 3:17)

God is for you, moms. He is on your team. We, too, salute you today! Imagine signs on the road, people applauding you from their windows and a great big THANK YOU from all your benefactors. That is God’s heart for you.

Happy Mother's Day!

I don’t know about you, but the ability to return to “normal” and be able to meet together, and learn and worship together is something I long for dearly. I sense that God is using this longing, in a way, to show me that meeting with His church as a community is something I’ve taken for granted way too often. And as He affords more time to reflect on life, I can see that there are many things of value that I take for granted. I pray that as the shelter-in-place is eased and we return to “normal” that He helps me to see these things of value with new, refreshed eyes.

What about “normal” though? Do you find yourself longing for a sense of “normalcy”, a returning to how things where prior to this “ab-normal” environment in which we find ourselves?

I miss a lot of things; as I mentioned, meeting with all of you, and meeting with our small group family – a lot. Having my mom come visit our family for a couple of weeks at a time – really miss that… I miss meeting for coffee with a friend, or going out to eat with Rithu and our family without a second thought. This was kind of surprising, but I miss being able to meet with work colleagues and attend training sessions together or face-to-face customer meetings. On the gratitude side, I am extremely thankful for the different online meeting tools that we’ve all been using, probably more than imagined we ever would.

Like many of you, our kids’ schools and activities have been cancelled or moved online. Their tennis seasons were also cancelled. They’re also missing out on so many opportunities to connect with their friends and hang out. Some of their summer work plans have also been disrupted – I hurt for them.

Ah…to return to “normal.”

Will we be able to attend church like before, as a family, sitting together? Will we be able to go to the grocery store & walk within three feet of someone, as opposed to six feet? What about going out to our favorite restaurants, will we be able sit at a table that’s within six feet of other dinners? What about auditoriums, will we be able to fill them, in different communities, maybe watching our kids perform? What will classrooms look like, will social distancing (I don’t know about you, but I must admit that I’m extremely over hearing this term…) be required? Work – will we be able to work next to each other and be safe in our offices or cubicles? What about commercial flights, what the heck is that going to look like? These types of questions, in this world, in this time, are tugging at my mind.

Then I’m reminded (as I began, God has thankfully been working on my heart & mind, especially during this “ab-normal” time), what should my expectation of “normal” be in this life?

God’s love letter to us has many reminders that His people, those of us who follow Jesus, are visitors, aliens, in this world. 1 Peter 2 & Hebrews 11 make such references – read it – that as followers of Jesus, this world is not our home. What should we expect of this world, if it’s then not our home, if we are in fact, visitors? For me, acceptance is the key. Demanding my “rights”, kicking against the goads like the spoiled child in my heart, will only serve to work against God’s will for me. Hardships truly can represent the pathway to peace, if I’m willing to seek Him first.

So, can I surrender my expectations of what life will/should look like on the other side, the “normal” side, of this “ab-normal” environment? Can I be His peace in the new “normal”? I can NOT, not without Jesus. The very thing He calls me to I’m incapable of doing without Him. I think that’s the way he designs the challenges that He calls us to overcome. His presence, His power, His love is required for true victory.

This is my goal: to be patient and loving to everyone I come in contact with in this world. That my thoughts, words and actions would honor Jesus, and to some degree, make Him famous.
I invite you to join me.

We love you & miss you church!

Barry Lowry

On April 10, as part of the blog, Greg shared an e-mail that Lee Ballard wrote to the worship team. With Lee’s permission, the story was shared with us all. Lee, you touched my heart as you candidly shared about your encounter with a homeless man. It truly is the little things that matter…just stopping to listen to someone can change everything!

Listening takes time and, in this pandemic, I am learning to take time to listen. Many years ago, we went to a counselor for help with parenting our teenagers. The counselor explained to us that some people are verbal processors and some process first by taking time to think. The counselor explained to me that I am a verbal processor and one of our sons is a process thinker. One of the exercises that he wanted me to do was to give my son time to process what I was sharing with him. I was quick to react, and I had to learn to wait and give my son time to process. I had to listen! It was a real challenge for me, but it was very helpful. Our communication improved just by taking time to wait and listen. My husband Doug is a process thinker and knowing the difference helped us as well in our marriage.

Listening is a skill that we can all work on, and, along with listening, we can work at not assuming you know what others are thinking and saying. A college professor at Multnomah Bible University once told me that the one thing that can destroy relationships is assumptions, in other words, reading each other’s mind! It just could be that you heard wrong, or you heard it once but failed to clarify what you heard from the other person.

Listening is a valuable tool in every relationship, especially in friendships. Being a good listener builds relationships and for a talker like me, to stop and listen is a real discipline. In John 15:14-15, Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” Listening to Jesus through the Holy Spirit and His Holy Word takes discipline and a willingness to listen. I love the scripture in Luke 10:39, “She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.” I decided to ask my husband Doug, “Am I a good listener?’ His response was that sometimes I am very attentive, and sometimes I’m not. He went on to say that sometimes I interrupt instead of listening. Ouch! So you see, I am still learning and have a long way to go.  

So, join me in the challenge of growing to be a better listener. I challenge you to ask someone in your home and maybe in your friendships that question: “Am I a good listener?"

What would Jesus say to me if I was to ask Him that question, “Am I a good listener?” I will be pursuing that question in the coming days as I continue to spend time in His Word. Stay tuned. I may write another blog on this later!  

Stay safe and stay close to Jesus!

Well, these are certainly historic days we are living through! This COVID-19 crisis is more world-wide than either of the world wars of the last century. Our grandchildren will be telling their grandchildren about it. But would you mind terribly if I didn’t say too much more about the coronavirus in this blog? I’d really like to think about something else for a few minutes. Can I distract you from it for a bit with a few words about our next sermon series?

Pastor Greg is going to take us through the book of James for the next seven weeks. He’s given this series the title, “All Day, Every Day,” because James encourages and exhorts us to live faithfully and consistently by the teachings of our King, Jesus. 

James, the younger brother of Jesus, was the first pastor of the first church, the church in Jerusalem. Within the first 10 or 15 years of the church, a great persecution began with the martyrdom of deacon Stephen. Most of the Christians, many thousands of them, were driven out of Jerusalem, scattered into the surrounding regions and countries. 

For at least a while, they lived like refugees in a foreign territory, away from their homes, out of their routines, out of work, and missing the strong support and teaching they had known in their home church in Jerusalem. So, good shepherd that he was, Pastor James wrote this letter to his former parishioners to encourage, exhort, and admonish them to continue living for Jesus in their new and difficult circumstances. History says that at least most of them did.

The intent of the persecution had been to stamp out the Jesus movement, but the actual result was the spread of the movement far beyond the city of Jerusalem. It was like pouring water on a grease fire. Hot beds of faith in Jesus burst into flame all around the Middle East. Pastor James’ letter was at least part of the reason that happened. 

We are certainly hoping and praying that by the time we finish this series, we will be able to gather again and can finish it together. Won’t that be great?! In the meantime, wouldn’t it also be great for the book of James to have a similar effect on our scattered church as it did on the Jerusalem church? 

Start preparing your hearts now for the Spirit’s message to you through the book of James, and then tune in on Sunday as Pastor Greg leads us into it. 

We cannot express how much we are missing gathering with you all. I am blown away by how well you are staying connected with one another and the missional hearts you have during this time. Last Saturday, our Food Pantry kicked off again to serve those in need of food. If you have an interest in serving, I encourage you to reach out to Janice Fry (pantry@pdxchurch.org). The Food Pantry team has done an outstanding job of placing safeguards for those that are serving and receiving the food. Also, if you know of someone in need, send them our way Saturdays at 1:30pm!  

Last week, Caris sent an email to her worship team and Lee Ballard replied with a wonderful story about how he was able to love like Jesus during this pandemic and, with his permission, he is allowing us to share that with you for this week's blog.  So without further adieu, take it away Lee!  

(excerpt from Lee Ballard's email)

“I'm praying for all you extrovert types. It's been hard on me not seeing y'all's faces, so I expect it's going to be a rough April for all you who aren't so accustomed to the sound of thoughts bouncing off the inside of your skulls. I'm also praying that our interactions with people--our neighbors, family, friends, that random distraught homeless person (now, there's a tale for you), and ourselves--at this time is kind and patient. Hang in there!

At any rate, here's the story about the distraught homeless man. My wife Teresa and I are out here in Parkrose, and around Rocky Butte have had a growing population of homeless people; there's plenty of campsites for them in the woods around the Grotto. I've gotten to know some of them on my anxiety-filled walks this past year. (I'm sure I've looked like I was homeless on at least one occasion recently.) On garbage days, a few of them come by and look through our recyclables. If I think about it, I leave can and pop bottles on the top for them. The other day, as I was putting it out to the curb, this fellow came down our road pushing a ratty, old baby carriage full of...well, stuff and yelling to high heaven about our president closing down restaurants. I'll spare you the details, but it was incoherent, angry and fear-ridden. When he saw me, he made right for me and screamed at me about his plans to send threatening letters to the White House among other things. When the fellow realized that I wasn't going to bolt back inside, he went from an emotional 11 back down to a 6 or so. I listened to him for a good 15 minutes before he realized that I was indeed listening to him. He continued to calm down and by the end, he was blessing me with tales about a God who loved everyone and a Savior who saved him when he was at his worse. He told me that being homeless isn't as bad as being without Jesus. In the end, he told me his name, Peter, and shook my hand, his hand rough and dirty. With purpose and calm in his step, he pushed his baby carriage on down the street.  

I'm a little embarrassed to say that I ran inside and washed my hands like I was prepping for surgery as soon as he left. I'm also not proud of the fact that all I wanted to do while listening to him was to run away, to callously tell him to bugger off. I felt a little ashamed that this smelly man had more faith than I did. My own anxiety and empathy for his mental plight nearly pushed me over the edge, but I think I was more blessed than he was. That's what we're called to do, I think: little things.” -Lee Ballard

 
I really admire Lee’s heart (and his amazing writing) to connect and love even in a time like this.  A couple weeks ago, Caris led us in the song, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and the verse, “Morning by morning, new mercies I see”, really grabbed a hold of my heart.  

This next week, I want to challenge us each morning to look for the new mercies and, like Lee, I bet they will come from unexpected places.


Grace and Peace,

Pastor Greg 

Hello church family!

How are you? We miss seeing you face-to-face. When we finally get to be together again, it will feel like a reunion, with so many things to catch up on. I really hope that you are all well and finding little bits of richness in this unusual season of social distancing.

What do you want us to understand during this time, Lord? How do you want to change us?

I’m sure we are all asking these kinds of questions these days. As I’ve asked God these questions, a number of things have come to mind, but I keep coming back to the story of Moses and the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. Each year that I read that narrative, I am more and more in awe of God’s plan to completely remodel the people of Israel. Their being in Egypt had its own purpose – a big one being their preservation in a time of great famine. But apparently the purpose of Egypt in the life of the people of Israel had run its course for that time. We all know how dramatic the lead up to their leaving was – complete with plagues, disaster, miracles and the Egyptians stocking up the Israelites with riches before they skipped town. They were all set.

They were heading to the Promised Land. There was even a straight-forward route to where they needed to go. But “God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near… But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness.” (Ex. 13:17 & 18). Suspicious. Why not travel the most logical way? In verse 17 it says, “For God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.’” He knew that fear would get the best of them. That they would return to slavery if they saw a preview of what was to come. Thus began a huge remodeling of the people of God. There was some deep change that needed to happen in them. Their reflexes and understanding about who to worship and how and even their ways of interacting with each other had to be transformed.

Have you ever had a long-standing habit that you had to change? It’s hard, right? I don’t know a single long-time smoker who understood that smoking leads to various yucky diseases who decided then and there to stop and stayed “stopped.” It takes lots of time. Lots of failing. Lots of trying again. And God was transforming not just one habit, but everything about Israel. I was struck recently how God even re-arranged their senses. With all the different sacrifices that the Israelites were learning to make there were sounds and smells associated with them. Different incenses, grains and animals to burn for the different sacrifices and the tinkling of the bells on the priests’ garments, the sound of trumpets at different feasts - God was rearranging what associations would be intrinsic to their life experience. You know how it is when you hear a song or smell a scent that immediately transports you to a certain time and place? I still feel my nurture wiring kick into gear when I smell baby shampoo. God was doing this with the Israelites. Makes me wonder what the smell of Lysol and hand-sanitizer will be associated with for us after this time of slowing down the spread of coronavirus.

So, what is God remodeling in us? We are definitely on an unusual path right now, aren’t we? I’ll leave you with something poignant Henri Nouwen wrote, “To choose joy does not mean to choose happy feelings or an artificial atmosphere of hilarity. But it does mean the determination to let whatever takes place bring us one step closer to the God of life.” For me today, that means joining the worldwide church in offering up little spurts of prayer as different people and groups come to mind. It means taking deep breaths when I feel anxious and saying, “You are with me” as I let my breath out. It means noticing the different birds that I see out my window and reminding myself that not a single one falls from the sky without my Father knowing. It means calling and writing grandparents and friends who are isolated, remembering that we were made for loving community. It means giving what we can to those who need it, trusting that God is our Provider. It means playing games with my kids and reading books, reflecting on the total love and delight my heavenly Father has for me. It means apologizing and receiving grace when I’m crabby and overstimulated from all this “togetherness.” Letting whatever takes place bring us one step closer to the God of life means many things on any given day.

I’m looking forward to hearing what it means to you, precious church family and friends.

Grace to you all!

Aloha GPBC Ohana! (ohana means “family” in Hawaiian),

In general “Aloha” means love. I send my love to each one of you. I must admit that I have taken for granted the opportunity to gather in groups and be a part of worship gatherings every Sunday morning. In other words, I really miss you as my family! I have appreciated the worship team and pastors, Wayne and Greg, preaching via the internet, but I miss being with people. Some of us have been getting together virtually, and it’s been great to hear and see people on a screen and sometimes in little boxes! In times like these, technology is our friend, and we are grateful for the connection we can have with our family and friends.

No doubt our horizontal connection with others have been tested. But what about our vertical connection with the Lord? Are you discouraged and sometimes feel a distance from the Lord because of the crisis? If you’re like me, it has been up and down. Watching the news can leave you with hope or despair. After two weeks, we are faced with seeing our situation as a new “normal.” The worst time for me is when I put my head on the pillow. I’m pretty good during the day, and then I start to worry at night! Listening to hymns and praise songs uplifts my spirit, and so, recently, I have been listening to scripture on my pillow before bed. For many of us, our prayer life has been revved up to be consistent and fervent:

“Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and might things which we do not know.” - Jeremiah 33:3

Sometimes I use my pidgin translation of the Bible, Da Jesus Book, to get more insight into a verse. (Pidgin English is the language I spoke while I lived in Hawaii. It is the common and ordinary language people speak today. The translation of the Da Jesus Book was written with 26 Hawaiians and assisted by Wycliffe Bible Translators.) In I Corinthians 16:19 the phrase “stay tight wit da boss, Jesus” caught my attention. I have never used the word “boss” for Jesus. Just saying Jesus is my boss took on a whole new meaning of how I live my life with the choices and decisions I make every day. In my past professional life, I have had excellent bosses, but to think Jesus is my eternal and perfect boss makes me wonder what it would be like to have a “review” with Jesus as my boss. I know that I am accepted just as I am and that I am made perfect in my weakness. But as my boss, do I follow and obey Him? Do I listen to him? Staying tight with the da boss means that I recognize and give Him thanks for being tight with me first and then humbling myself and loving Him with my whole heart.

If you and I were to have a time together and I asked you , “How are you “staying tight with the da boss, Jesus?,” how would you answer that? How are you loving Jesus with your whole heart? If Jesus sat down with you, what would your review be like? What changes do you need to make in your life to stay tight with da boss?

Let’s do this together and ask each other, “How are you staying tight with da boss?”

Blessings on you, Ohana!

Joyce

All of us at Stephen Ministries hope and pray that you, your loved ones, and the people you care for are healthy and safe. I hope you receive comfort in God’s words from Isaiah 41:10:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

As we find ourselves in the midst of this pandemic, we all feel the impact of social distancing. What does social distancing mean in daily life? Social distancing is staying home whenever possible. Limiting trips out of your home to essential tasks, such as picking up food, medicines or visiting a doctor. During this crazy time, it is important that we reach out and connect with each other. One of things we do here as church members is that we take care of our loved ones, neighbors and community. In Tuesday’s email, Greg has spelled out some great ways to connect.

Stephen Ministry has shared in the class “Healthy Relationship Skills for Life”, the value and strength of listening. When we reach out and connect with others we are showing we care!

As we listen, we put effort into paying attention to what the other person is saying and feeling. People express feelings of many types. The COVID-19 crisis has impacted everyone—raising the level of stress and anxiety for many. These may be just some of the feelings you hear others express. You may be the one who wants someone to listen to you and share your feelings.

Some of you may be needing even more than church members, loved ones or neighbors can provide. Please know that our Stephen Ministers are here for you. Our ministry is one of being a caring, listening ear. We are trained to come alongside you to listen, encourage and support you during this unexpected journey you're on. Stephen Ministers provide confidential, high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care.

If a Stephen Minister would be of help to you during this time, please let us know at stephenministry@pdxchurch.org. During this time of social distancing, Stephen Ministers are trained to meet over the phone.
To close I would like to share this prayer.

The Pandemic Prayer
- May we who are merely inconvenienced,
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
- May we who have no risk factors,
Remember those who are most vulnerable.
- May we who have the luxury of working from home,
Remember those who must choose between
preserving their health or making their rent.
- May we who have the flexibility to care for our
children when their schools close,
Remember those who have no options.
- May we who have to cancel our trips,
Remember those who have no safe place to go.
- May we who are losing our margin money
in the tumult of the economic market,
Remember those who have no margin at all.
- May we who settle in for a quarantine at home,
Remember those who have no home.
- As fear grips our country,
Let us choose love.
- During this time when we cannot physically
wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of care and kindness to our neighbors. -Anonymous

Stay safe and healthy!

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON!?! Our lives have drastically changed in the last week due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are adjusting to a new normal, and we don’t know how long this new normal will last. Kids don’t have school, people are isolating themselves in their homes, families are not sure if they will continue to have a source of income, and grocery stores are out of toilet paper! The future is unknown, we do not know how the pandemic will continue to upend our lives and that can be unnerving. As Christians, our connection with God helps us release our fear and look to Him for peace. We find peace knowing God is in control and will never leave us.  

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, for the LORD your 
God is with you wherever you go.” -- Joshua 1:9

It is important that we show the love of Jesus to our community during this time of unrest. As we look around our community, we can offer comfort to those around us who are struggling. God is giving us opportunities to impact the lives of people at GPBC, in the community around GPBC, and in the communities where we live.

Right now, there are several families near GPBC in need of help. The Neighborhood House has offered to coordinate efforts between churches and other community groups in support of SW Portland families. The goal is to support families in need by: 

• Providing lunches for low income students Mon-Fri while school is out.
• Distributing food boxes, diapers, and wipes to low income families.
• Providing educational activities and supplies for children in need.
• Caring for senior citizens that may be isolated during this time.

There are several ways you can join us in supporting families in SW Portland. 

• The Neighborhood House needs diapers (size 4, 5, and 6), baby wipes, baby food, basic food staples (rice, beans, tomato sauce, canned food, and fresh/frozen fruits and veggies), paper plates, paper lunch bags, castile soap, seventh generation dish soap, puzzles for kids 0-6 years old, and games/books/activity books/art supplies for kids. All donations can be dropped off on Mondays and Thursdays 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM at 6650 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219 (Neighborhood House Children’s Center).

• Donate money directly to Neighborhood House by giving online at www.nhpdx.org/donate or mailing a check to Neighborhood House at 7780 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219 (please indicate these funds are for Family and Nutrition Services at Head Start in the memo line).

• Assemble and distribute food boxes to families in need. Please email their food pantry coordinator, Jim Cooper, at jcooper@nhpdx.org if you are interested in helping.

• Checking-in with seniors and possibly provide rides to medical appointments, pharmacies, and grocery stores. Please contact the Senior Center program director, Nancy Burke at nburke@nhpdx.org or 503-244-5204 to volunteer to help!

I look forward to hearing stories from you about how God used you during this time to impact the world and draw people to Christ!

In fact, two of our members are already working to serve during this crisis and you can help them. The hospitals are currently in urgent need of N95 respiratory masks. This is an immediate, critical, and life-threatening shortage. If you have unused, new-in-box N95 masks in your personal supplies that you would be willing to donate to those on the front lines of this crisis, email or text Stephanie and Angelo Ramella at stephanie_boys@yahoo.com or 602-819-0459 with your address. They will arrange pick up and delivery of the masks to our medical professionals.

Let's remember that we can all impact the world through prayer! There are billions of people around the world who are worried about how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect their families. As Jesus followers, let’s join together in prayer asking God to end this pandemic, help scientists find a vaccine, dissipate the public fear, and that through it all God will be glorified turning people to Him. I look forward to seeing you (hopefully soon)!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -- Philippians 3:6-7

My husband Doug and I first heard about the coronavirus while we were on vacation in Hawaii about four weeks ago. At that time we had a lot of questions, such as, “Will this affect our travel back to the mainland? How do I protect myself from catching the virus? Should I wear a mask? Do I have enough hand sanitizers? Will this virus spread to Oregon (because at that time Washington reported one case)?” Since then, our initial questions have turned to, “Will this ever be contained? Will it continue to spread in all the states? What about the stock market, and how can I protect my investments? Are people getting the help they need? How will this affect our community? How will this affect my family? How are we helping our community navigate this pandemic?”

In times like these, the challenge for followers of Christ is about the trust factor versus the fear factor in our lives. When there is confusion and uncertainty, it is easy for me to react in fear. Fear of the unknown can grip my heart and paralyze me to not trust the Lord, but to worry. One of verses I turn to is in Isaiah.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 NASB

The Lord is sovereign, and He is the blessed controller of all things. We can trust His hand of mercy and grace in all circumstances.

Another question is whether your trust factor is victorious over your fear factor? One of the best antidotes to fear is prayer!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Prayer connects me to Jesus, and I can ask him for help, and through the Holy Spirit, receive the peace that will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Together as a community, we can pray for God’s protection and guidance.

This pandemic is hitting us at Greater Portland as we have become aware of friends in our community with health conditions who have chosen to not attend our gatherings as a precaution. Being respectful of their decision, I believe, it is critical to love one another. If you are aware of people in our community making this choice, be sure to make a point to call them and express your love to them. I encourage small group leaders to check in with your group members to encourage and pray with them.

As we have been challenged through our pastor, Greg, to live in "The Upside-Down Kingdom”, we have the opportunity to go and reach out to the community around us. It could be that you have a neighbor that is gripped with fear about the coronavirus and checking up on them will be an encouragement. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can reach out to others.

Our mission as a church is helping people follow Jesus together. We need each other, so let’s trust Jesus together!

I caught the virus last week. No, no, no, not the new and potentially fatal coronavirus (COVID-19), but the much more common and not dangerous GKID-5 virus. Paulette and I spent the week caring for five of our grandchildren while their parents were traveling and I came home with a cold. Had I been thoughtful and aware, I could have avoided the GKID-5 virus. Surprisingly, the measures I could have taken to avoid the common and not dangerous GKID-5 virus are the same measures anyone can take to avoid the dangerous coronavirus.

The concern about the coronavirus is legitimate and growing so this week’s blog is about how we as a church community can limit its spread to us and to those around us. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the best way to prevent it is to avoid anyone who already has it. The CDC advises everyone not to travel to areas where the virus seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community. As of last week, that included China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea.

However, with nine fatalities (as of March 3) and 27 confirmed cases in Washington state, and now three presumptive cases in Oregon, the time for preventive measures in the NW is now.

The coronavirus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. The symptoms (fever, cough, and shortness of breath) may take up to two weeks to develop, and they seem to worsen in the second week of the illness. 

So how can you avoid the coronavirus and protect others from it? Here’s some common but effective measures:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.• When you are sick, stay home from work, school, church, small group, Bible study, etc.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (or sleeve), then throw the tissue away.• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds after the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of coronavirus.
• If you develop suspicious symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away. 

There is yet no vaccine to prevent or cure coronavirus. Treatment consists of support, comfort, and care, unless the symptoms become severe enough to require hospitalization. 

In the unlikely event that a health crisis develops in our area and restrictions are placed on public gatherings, our church may try to have a virtual gathering on-line through our Facebook page. The church office will provide details about that if it becomes necessary.

However, having said all of that, Christians have a centuries-old history not of avoiding sick people but of engaging them to provide support, comfort, and care. Plagues occasionally swept the cities of the Roman Empire during the first centuries of the Christian Church. While all who could left the city for the relative safety of the countryside, many Christians stayed to provide care for the ill in the name of Jesus, many contracting the illness themselves and some dying from it. 

By taking precautions (see the list above) that were not available to those early Christians, we may be able to provide help, meals, encouragement, and prayer to neighbors and friends in the name of Jesus without the high risk they accepted. We should be alert to the health of those the Lord has put around us and be ready to be his hands, feet, and voice to them.

I can’t help but compare the coronavirus with true Christianity. They are both highly contagious and spread through person-to-person contact. The spread of both can be prevented by avoiding contact with people who have it. Genuine, biblical Christianity also has a specific set of symptoms: love, joy, peace, patience, self-control. If you have it, the symptoms will be obvious. 

There are differences, of course. We don’t want coronavirus to spread. We do want genuine faith in Jesus to spread far and wide. Can we become a community where the real disease of faith in him spreads easily and sustainably? The authorities are not sure how the coronavirus began. But there is no doubt that Christianity began when Jesus allowed himself to be infected with the disease of our sinfulness so that he could destroy it on the cross and provide a permanent cure for us. The outcome of the coronavirus may on occasion be death. The outcome of the divine disease of Christianity is always life, eternal life.

At the beginning of February, Caris and I gathered a team of creatives at Greater Portland, and we began to dream for the coming Lent season that leads us to Good Friday and Easter. A recurring theme kept speaking to our collective hearts. That theme was, “GO!”

At GPBC, we always want to be a church that has a heart to go, that is the “helping people” part of our mission statement. But during this season we want to be intentional with our going. 

Why?

Jesus set the example for us. Jesus was a goer. Jesus stepped out of heaven to go into his creation. Jesus went into the waters to be baptized. Jesus went into the desert where he was hungry, tired and tempted. Jesus went from town to town to share the news that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Jesus went to the cross to die for us. Jesus went to the grave in his death. And on that glorious third day, Jesus stepped out of the grave.  

We go because Jesus went. We go because we follow Jesus.

A study recently showed over 50% of people that do not come from a background of faith and church would come to church if they were invited by a friend or family member. That number goes up even more on Christmas and Easter Sundays. Let this statistic encourage our hearts to go.

For the coming Sunday sermons that lead us to Easter, we are going to make a slight shift in the sermon series title to “Living In The Upside Down Kingdom.” The sermons will challenge us to ask ourselves, “am I a good neighbor? Who will I invite to my table and into my home? Do I have a heart of forgiveness and reconciliation?”

King Jesus does not ask us to do anything that he hasn’t already done for us. Jesus is the good neighbor.  Jesus invites us to his table. Jesus is full of grace and mercy and love. These are the rhythms that we are asked to follow.

This season leading up to Easter, let’s follow King Jesus in these rhythms.  

It’s Community Sunday, HOORAY!!! We get to be all together for our service time and then afterwards keep the connecting going with a yummy potluck meal. Our focus for the morning will be PRAYER in the upside-down kingdom. 

“He was praying in a certain place, and when He stopped, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1

The followers of Jesus made an excellent request of him: 

“Teach us how to pray like you pray.” 

It was really normal for Jewish teachers or Rabbis to teach their followers or disciples how to pray and connect to God. Jesus’ followers were good Jewish folk who grew up with prayer and praying all around them in the synagogues, in the Temple, in the streets, and as part of feasts and festivals. They were very familiar with praying.  

But Jesus was doing so much praying, and in such a way, that they wanted to be taught by Him how to pray. Another way to look at this question might be: 

“Jesus you seem really connected to God and to people. We want to be like that. How do we be like you?”

Jesus answers their question clearly and simply with the now famous words of what is called The Lord’s Prayer.

"Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”  Luke 11:2-4  

AND he responds to the question behind the question, too. Jesus teaches and lives out that PRAYER is RELATIONAL. 

We RELATE to God through prayer, we RESPOND to God through prayer, and we RECEIVE and GIVE from God through prayer.  

Sounds kinda big?!? IT IS.  Great news, Jesus gives us everything we need to pray and be like Him. As he wraps up his “Prayer 101 Jesus Style chat” with his disciples, he says this,

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:13

Let’s ask The Holy Spirit to teach us together this Sunday as we pursue connecting to God and to each other through prayer in many engaging ways. 

In a recent staff meeting, Pastor Greg asked us to dream. Then he said, "Dream about reaching out to the community around us…next week bring back your ideas to our meeting.”

Right away, Wilson High School came to my mind. Our church has been involved with Wilson for over 10 years…painting classrooms and hallways along with spring and fall outdoor cleanup activities. This past year the Wilson staff has used our church classrooms for student testing and all day staff meetings. Our rooms are empty at times during the week and provide a quiet atmosphere.

I have been privileged to attend the Wilson Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast each year. During the breakfast, Wilson’s business manager, Erica Caldwell, speaks very highly of Greater Portland Bible Church and the partnership we have developed over the years. Now having said all that, how do we accomplish the next step? And that step is presenting the good news of Jesus!

I don’t have a ready answer, but my dream takes me to an appreciation lunch for the administrators, teachers and maintenance staff that we have worked with. Part of the time would be giving them an overview of who we are and what we do. This could provide an opportunity for us to develop closer relationships, ultimately leading to spiritual conversations.

What about the kids? What are their needs? Tanner, our youth pastor would be qualified to answer this question. Dreaming once more…what are the needs of the parents? Can we adopt a family and meet their need in a way that leads to a spiritual discussion and relationship?

Well, there you have my dream for Wilson HS. My relationship has been on-going for over 10 years, and my heart is inclined toward a deeper Christ-centered relationship.

In November of last year, many of the men from GPBC joined one another at a Men’s Retreat in Turner, Oregon. It was a rich time of fellowship and fun. To have had the opportunity to spend time studying and thinking of things that God had to say to us was a blessing for all. As I have thought about that time of relaxing and simply hanging out, I was struck by the unity displayed among this group of men and some of the experiences many shared with me and I know with one another.

The undergirding theme of the weekend was “love” and more specifically “love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (I Timothy 1:5, ESV). The unity manifest in this relatively small group does not happen naturally. It takes sacrifice and commitment, both of which run contrary to our human nature. Now if you are anything like me you’d probably agree that it is so much easier to love “me” than to love “you.”  I had to confess to myself that I am afflicted with the terminal disease I call “I-I’tis”.  (I hope none of you suffer the same thing!) In retrospect, I now think about what things or behaviors I manifest that impact that unity. And of course I have had to admit that at the heart of it is my “I-I’tis”.  

Just a few days ago, while reading John 17, I saw something that had not stuck me as it did that day. This chapter in John is Jesus’s prayer for those that belong to Him and are submitting to Him (vs. 6). Jesus’ prayer was, in part, that we be “one.”  He repeats it three times; verses 11, 21 and 22. Then in verse 23 I was really stricken by these words: “I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” This prompted me to think about His command from earlier in the book where Jesus said “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). Of course it made me ask myself; how do I love those who attend GPBC?

As I looked more carefully at John 17:21, it became pretty clear to me that it has to be by His indwelling life. This of course led to the question of how does His life manifest itself in me when I am so stricken by my “I-I’tis”. I was reminded again that it is a work that I am utterly inadequate to perform, but He is. So how then does His life and His love work its way through my disease. Not as simple as it may seem. If it is His work then what is my job? I was again reminded that I must turn to Him (II Corinthians 3:16), and He will deal with my disease. It is His work that brings about the change.

What is so remarkable about this is that when we turn to Him we are taking to heart His prayer for us. So, when we help one another turn to Him, we are in practice loving one another, and, as Jesus says, the world will notice. They will see something that cannot be explained in any other way than by Jesus. It is God at work. It is His Spirit that enables unity. We are called to “preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). My hope and prayer for this body of believers is that we strive to safeguard the unity we have in Him.

As many of you know, I just returned from a beautiful two and a half weeks in the Caribbean. (It hardly feels real that I can say that!) I went with two friends from college that have remained good friends over the years. We wanted to celebrate over two decades of friendship and the unbelievable fact that we are all turning 40 this year. It was an incredibly relaxing trip in many ways; we didn’t have a lot planned and we had a pool at the house we were staying at. (You can’t get much more relaxed than having nothing to do but lounge in a tropical paradise, reading beside a pool or a turquoise blue ocean.)

Now that I’m back, one of the questions I get asked a lot is, “do I feel rested now?”

And I’m not exactly sure how to answer that. Was the trip restful? Yes. I got enough sleep. I wasn’t experiencing stress and enjoyed life more while on vacation. I felt more optimistic about things upon returning. I dug into God’s Word with my friends, discovered new tools for my spiritual life, and connected with a truly wonderful church community while there. So, yea, I got good rest.

There is something about taking a break and stepping away from work for a day or several weeks that helps the body and spirit reset. It’s what the Sabbath was created for. God knew that humans can only take so much, and vacation is kind of like one big extended Sabbath.

Now that I’m back, I wonder if rest is also available outside of vacation and outside of the Sabbath, because upon return I was reminded how quickly all the feel-goods and happy places can evaporate in the hustle and bustle and demands of our lives.

Before I left on vacation, the worship team spent time studying Mark 6. If you aren’t familiar with that chapter of Mark’s gospel, its an amazing section of scripture. Starting in verse seven you see Jesus sending out the 12 disciples to proclaim the Kingdom to the surrounding villages. Then, in the middle of that story, is smooshed a terrible story about Herod’s awful family beheading John the Baptist. That is followed by the disciples returning from their mission trip. Jesus, recognizing that they were pretty spent said, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”

I love that Jesus recognized that they needed rest and then moved to provide that for them. Or did he? As they seek to find a deserted place, the crowd follows them, Jesus has compassion on them, continues to teach them all day, and then what happens? The disciples, who are probably still tired, are looking at thousands of hungry people and asking Jesus to send them away to get food. And Jesus, who told the disciples to come away and get rest with him that day, absurdly tells them to feed the crowd.

Now, put yourself in the shoes of the disciples. You worked your tail off on a mission trip. It was awesome but exhausting. Jesus seems to understand all this and plans a retreat for you and your team. And you are so looking forward to what feels like a much needed time away, but then it gets interrupted, and Jesus, instead of protecting your retreat time, allows thousands of people to stick around, and he continues the mission, teaching them. So it’s now the end of another long day, and Jesus asks you to essentially fire up the soup kitchen and feed everyone.

I’m personally shocked that we don’t see the disciples totally lose it here. But as the story goes, they tell Jesus why this isn’t possible, and then Jesus does the impossible for them by multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish and feeding over 5000 people.

It says later that the disciples’ hearts were hardened, and they did not understand the miracle.

Do I?

This miracle story began with Jesus retreating with the disciples for the purpose of finding rest. That opportunity for rest was interrupted.

Or was it?

Should I believe that Jesus did not anticipate that the crowds would follow when he promised rest to his disciples. Is it possible that rest was available to the disciples the day Jesus fed the 5000? Was there still rest available to the disciples while serving a bunch of lost and needy people?

I’m still not 100% sure I know the answer to that. Although I believe the key may lie in dependence and reliance on Jesus.

As I come back from vacation and the stress of work and life erases the rest I received on vacation, I want to ask Jesus if sabbath days, retreats, and vacations are our only sources of rest? Because even these feel inadequate solutions to my desperate need for rest.

I’m chasing rest. I believe I haven’t used up my two-week allotment of rest for the year. I have to believe that rest is available in the daily walk with my Savior. So I continue to lean in to Jesus, to his Word, and his Spirit, that is alive within me, to discover more of the kind of rest that I believe Jesus alluded to here.

Will you join me in the pursuit?

I know I’m not alone in this, but I for one am very glad that Greg Lunsford has joined us as our Lead Pastor. With each step in the process, the candidating, the church’s strong vote of approval, our invitation to come work with us, and Greg’s enthusiastic acceptance of that invitation, my anticipation grew. I have also been aware that as my anticipation grew, my perspective on ministry and even on life began to change.

As the former Lead Pastor and then Interim Lead Pastor, I can tell you that GPBC has made my ministry here an absolute delight! Pastors of other churches should be jealous. I can also tell you though, that the role of Lead Pastor, even in the best of churches, has some unique pressures and burdens.

No matter how many years a pastor has been preaching, there is still pressure around creating a fresh sermon each week that is faithful to the Bible, relevant to the lives of this congregation, and Jesus-exalting. Then there are multitudes of issues to wrestle with, very few of which have black or white resolutions. Decisions to be made that impact the lives of individuals, families, and the whole church are common and often burdensome.

But what I noticed is that as Greg’s coming became more certain and my anticipation grew, those pastoral pressures and burdens became lighter. Knowing that responsibility for those things would necessarily shift in time to Greg’s very capable shoulders relieved some of the pressure and lifted some of the weight of the burdens.

In Luke 21, Jesus said that we, his followers, should anticipate his coming “on a cloud with power and great glory” and that it should change our perspective on the cares and “worries of this life.” The second coming of Jesus is a way bigger event to anticipate than the coming of a new lead pastor, and it stands to reason that the change in our perspective should be way bigger as well.

For all of this life’s worries, the physical, emotional, mental, relational, financial, social, cultural, and spiritual dilemmas, decisions, and pressures we face, the Bible says Jesus is ready to take responsibility, even now, for the outcomes if we will let him. Shifting responsibility to his capable shoulders can lighten your load right now. But, when he returns, he will resolve all dilemmas, right every wrong, and do justice where there was none. Jesus said living in anticipation of his return will prevent our hearts from being “weighed down” with the anxieties of this life.

I must confess that, although I firmly believe that Jesus is coming back, I don’t view every problem or pressure or burden from the perspective of his return. Do you? I need and want to grow in that perspective. Do you? Can we agree to help each other with that?

Typically, this time of year a question might be asked of you, “So what are you looking forward to in 2020?” Your answer may vary from some event you are looking forward to, or something that you hope will change in 2020, or many times you really don’t know. Personally, I believe this question of what you are looking forward to is different from “what resolution will you make?” I don’t know about you, but I can resolve to do something like lose weight and in a few days lose sight of what I said I would do.

So, let me suggest that maybe as you reflect on 2019 that you begin by thanking the Lord for all the blessings you have received this year. Then, as you look forward to 2020, ask the question, “How will I continue the pursuit of a closer relationship to Jesus and see things always for His honor and glory?"

In my last lesson of women’s Bible study this past fall, there were three phrases that caught my attention that the authors of our Bible study used to summarize the study: “Give generously, act faithfully and serve fervently.” I love the phrasing of these words! As I reflected on these phrases, I thought I could use them to evaluate my life in Jesus Christ, because they are exactly what Jesus Christ demonstrated on earth.

• Am I giving generously, obediently, and sacrificially, without expectation or wanting to be recognized for the giving?
• Am I giving beyond what is expected? Am I open to give instead of looking for places to keep it all for myself?
• Do I believe that God provides all that I need? Do I trust Him in every part of my life?
• In order to act faithfully, does my behavior reflect my faith in Jesus Christ?
• Do I submit to His ways and serve with passion for the lost?  
• Am I serving Jesus and not man?
• Am I protective of my time and closed to the Lord opening doors for serving His community?
• Am I truly giving generously, acting faithfully and serving fervently for His glory?

2020 is only a few days away. Let’s join our hearts together and pray Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16-17, 20.

“I pray that he would give you according to his glorious riches, strength in your inner being and power through his Spirit, and that the Messiah would make his home in your hearts through faith….Now to the one who can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine according to the power that is working among us –to him be glory in the church and in the Messiah Jesus to all generations forever and ever! Amen."

Happy New Year!

The theme of this third week of Advent is JOY! It’s time for Christmas celebrations to kick into high gear. I hope you’ve got some big and/or small celebratory events (Parties!) planned and that you let yourself revel in the wondrous truth that the Creator became one of us so that he could rescue us from our self-destructive ways. 

But not everyone who knows why we celebrate Christmas has found it a reason for joy. Here’s a famous quote from the British playwright and cynic, George Bernard Shaw, more than one hundred years ago:

“I am sorry to have to introduce the subject of Christmas into these articles. It is an indecent subject; a cruel, gluttonous subject; a drunken, disorderly subject; a wasteful, disastrous subject; a wicked, cadging, lying, filthy, blasphemous, and demoralizing subject. Christmas is forced on a reluctant and disgusted nation by the shopkeepers and the press: on its own merits it would wither and shrivel in the fiery breath of universal hatred; and anyone who looked back to it would be turned into a pillar of greasy sausages.” 
~George Bernard Shaw

That’s one for your “Bah-Humbug” file. Shaw actually founded a society for the abolition of Christmas in 1897. His society never became popular. 50 years later, he was still its only member. So, while Shaw understood the reason Christmas is celebrated, he clearly had never experienced the joy of forgiveness and hope that Jesus came to bring, and, therefore, had no reason to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

There are very few who disdain Christmas in our culture today. Most people see it as a season for peace, good will toward others, and for expressing the value of our family and friends through cards and gifts. The marathon of Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel often focus on a “Christmas Miracle,” typically a romance that’s salvaged, renewed, or discovered. Love blossoms at Christmas. 

Those are all wonderful things and are reasons for happiness and even for celebrating. For most people, however, those wonderful things are man-centered and temporary. None of them can hold a Christmas candle to the eternal joy of believing the message of the angel to the shepherds, “A Savior has been born!” Knowing that your Creator loves and forgives you, that you stand secure in his favor and care, is the foundation of joy and the very best reason for celebration. 

I hope that at least some of your Christmas celebrations will be in the company of our church family this Sunday and on Christmas Eve.

See you then,

Wayne

I appreciated our good friend, Dick Middlebrooks’, heart-felt message from a couple of weeks ago about how each of us have a responsibility to tell others about Jesus. It’s a lifestyle, not a program. A couple of days after that message, another of our good friends, Joel Michaelson, sent me a story, actually a parable, about how an organization grows. I’m passing it on to you in the hopes that it will help prepare us all for the next chapter in the history of Greater Portland Bible Church.

The Clearview High School Chess Club had a dilemma, the once strong program found itself down to its last three members. The Club President called a meeting to discuss the crisis. “Clubbers, with just a senior, junior, and a freshman, there are now only three members left in our club. We need to solve this problem!”

The senior raised his hand and said “I know exactly our problem. It’s not cool to be in a Chess Club. We are hated by the entire school. If we can change their perspective, we will change our destiny! Also, ‘chess club’ sounds too much like chest club. It’s a bully magnet! We need to change our name also for sure.”

He continued, “Here’s what we do! We win over the people who are our actual problem. Let’s invite our bullies to actually visit our club! They are the ones who hate us and label us as losers. Once they see how much fun we are, they will be our biggest advocates.”

So the Clearview Chess Club prepared for the changes. They put up ‘free donuts’ posters, moved the club to the boxing room, changed their name to ‘Battle Club’, and committed to memorizing and avoiding words on their ‘Nerd List’, words that seem to trigger their bullies, mostly math jokes and larger scrabble words. 

The big day arrived, and it seemed to start out well. Five bullies showed up, gobbled up the donuts, laughed, and punched on all the old punching bags in the room. After five minutes though, the bullies got bored and quickly turned their attention on their hosts with a barrage of headlocks, flying chess pieces, and creative wedgie maneuvers. 

Later, during their official Battle Club Debriefing Meeting, the members were able to unanimously vote to track down much softer chairs. 

Then the President spoke up. “Wait, I know how to fix our club! My grandpa ruled this school when he was a member here, and my dad still talks about his crazy Chess Club parties! Let’s find people who actually like us, or at least know how to play. There must be at least 100 people in this school that played a little as a kid or maybe probably still do, so let’s make it super easy for old players to find their way back home. First we immediately change our name back and second, move the club back to our old room so people can find us.”

So donuts were bought and flyers went out, calling on anybody who has ever played chess before to please show up. The turnout was amazing, but the mood soon shifted when half the students just ate their donuts and never looked up from their phones. When asked to start a game, they grunted and said, “Chess is boring.” The other half eagerly started up games, but all insisted on using their own personal house rules they grew up with as kids. One student only played chess by checkers rules and another student only liked to play chess with ‘Invincibility Queens’ that could never die. Another depressing night.  
 
During their official Chess Club Debriefing Meeting, they saw now why these students don’t play chess anymore. The president did announce some good news, “You guys remember the senior, Blake, who left us to play football? He said he could maybe return on some of his non-football days if we meet in the mornings.”

The freshman then spoke up, “I have just read our club bylaws and it states that the Clearview High School Chess Club accepts anyone who has a desire to play the game of chess and is willing to follow the guidelines of the club. That suggests to me we are not to accept those who hate chess and who refuse to accept the guidelines that were set out.”

He continued “I propose we continue to meet together on club day, but as individuals, let’s dedicate ourselves on a daily basis to find people who are willing to just sit down and play a game of chess with us. Either at our houses or at the lunch tables. Those who get it and want more, those are the ones we should invite to our club, but in the meantime, let’s just find people who are open to maybe just learn the game”. 

A lightbulb turned on for the boys as the junior said, “Yes! I can start meeting with Senior Blake for a morning game before school!”

The senior said “Yes! And I think I’m going to see if I could be a student volunteer during detention! These guys are stuck and bored half to death. I know these bullies are so different one on one.”

The freshman chimed in “Yes! And I will open my basement once a month for a game night. I don’t mind playing with chess with kids who only know their house rules. I’m pretty patient. So you guys can invite anyone who shows an interest during the month!”

With this insight the Clearview High School Chess Club slowly began to blossom as members dedicated themselves to the basics of their club’s founding; honing their skills, encouraging each other to become better chess players, and sharing a simple explanation of how this great game is played. 

Our church is not in a crisis like that chess club, but I think we would all like to see it blossom with more people learning about Jesus, believing in him, and growing in the life he offers. The strategy that the chess club finally stumbled upon is simple but very effective: find people who are willing to have a conversation about spiritual things and then, if they are interested in learning more, share with them what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Are you ready and willing to dedicate yourself to that strategy?

The Bible has a lot to say about the poor from Exodus through Revelation. Here are two verses that I think sum up most of what is said,

Proverbs 22:2 New International Version (NIV)
Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.

Luke 11:40-41 New International Version (NIV)
You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

Do you ask the questions that I ask myself? I ask, do I truly have an understanding that Jesus made us all and that one person is not better than another? What is within me? Is the Holy Spirit controlling me or am I in control? Sometimes it hurts to answer these questions honestly. I also have a perfectionist tendency which I have to set aside and accept that I cannot live a perfect life, but each day I can reset my mind on Jesus. Romans 12:1-2 are my life verses, Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The Bible makes it clear that we are to be kind and generous to the poor, but poverty is not a simple issue. There are some who choose the homeless lifestyle, some have mental illnesses, some are abused by their families, some are on fixed incomes or the working poor, and some are like my grandparents who lost everything they owned twice in their lives. 

Bill and Freda Elliott wanted and expected to be farmers in Oklahoma all of their lives, but the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl changed their lives. In 1932, after losing the farm, they homesteaded property in New Mexico for three years. My aunt told me that while living in New Mexico, sometimes they only had oatmeal to eat. Then in 1942, while living in Ashland, Oregon, their house caught on fire and burned to the ground. 

All of these different kinds of people are shopping at the pantry. I have lost count of how many shoppers we have at the pantry that tell me that they appreciate our Pantry. Many of the shoppers on Saturdays are the working poor or are on fixed incomes. They are fine month to month until something unexpected happens to them, then they need our pantry.

We are doing a good job of meeting the physical needs of the shoppers, but the Pantry is in need of those who have the gift of evangelism or hospitality. We are in need of those who are willing to help with the spiritual needs of the shoppers that come on Saturday. This team needs four to eight people who are able to work once a month to develop relationships with the shoppers, to pray with them for their needs, to answer questions they may have, and to lead them to Christ.

We are also in need of a Trader Joe's driver on the fourth Friday of the month and a Winco/Fred Meyer driver once a month on Friday (contact Judy Pinkerton for which Friday works best for you). Our Saturday teams can always use one or two more workers. If you are wanting or willing to work in the Pantry please contact Janice Fry jfry_76@msn.com , for evangelism, hospitality or Saturday worker, Mary Ellen Adler, m_e_adler@msn.com for Trader Joe's driver, and Judy Pinkerton, pinks55@msn.com for Winco/Fred Meyer.

When a group of people feels safe and warm, we often say they feel like “family.” “Family” implies love, loyalty and lifelong bonds. Unfortunately, many people may have painful memories of their families or they may feel alone and like they don’t have family. But God, in His great love, was pleased to invite us into His family by adoption through Jesus!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. Ephesians 1:4-5

Throughout the New Testament we read the language of family in the church such as Paul’s references to “brothers and sisters” in his letters. The church is God’s family, but it is also His adoption agency. He has sent His family to live out the gospel and announce the Father’s adoption plans to the whole world.
A few years back, someone told me about the Dennehy family. They practiced the Father’s love by traveling the world and adopting children with disabilities. In the video clip below, you’ll hear how they tell their children, “When you’re adopted, your parents looked down on the whole world and picked you.” That’s exactly what the Father did for us when He rescued and ransomed us for His family. If you have a few minutes, watch this brief and moving video on the Dennehy family, and notice how it resembles God’s family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rztYMMhMT2Y

At GPBC, we want to be a family of God where people belong, grow and are living out the Father’s adoption mission. An important way that we invite you into this kind of “missional” community is through small groups. I was initially reluctant to join a small group, but now I can’t imagine following Jesus without the love and encouragement of these “brothers and sisters.” They are part of my life like an adopted family. If you are ready to follow Jesus with one of our small groups, please let us know on our website at “Join a Small Group:” http://www.pdxchurch.org/community/small-groups/

This Sunday we are very pleased to welcome Greg Lunsford who has been invited by the elder team to preach and spend a week with our church family as a candidate for lead pastor. I hope you will join us this week as we get to know Greg and his family!

Well just déjà vu! With Pastor Jay’s departure, we are entering a new chapter in the life of Greater Portland Bible Church…again. We should be pretty good at new chapters by now, having had four of them in the last nine years, not counting several associate staff changes in those years. In many churches or organizations, that much change in leadership would result in uncertainty, confusion, and/or instability. That has not been the case with us, however.

The unity and stability that we have enjoyed through these years is in large measure, I believe, due to our compelling awareness that Jesus is the true leader, the true senior pastor of our church, regardless of which human leader he has placed with us. He is the one around whom we are unified, and he is the source of our stability. That must always be the case at Greater Portland.

I very much appreciate and treasure the words of support and encouragement that have come from so many as I stepped into this interim lead pastor role…again. Several have commented on the burden that this job must be. Well, it is, sort of. But the eight years that I was in that role previously were absolutely the best years of my ministry career. It does not feel like a burden, in fact, it feels like a privilege to have an encore opportunity for something I enjoyed so much.

I am praying though, that this interim will be shorter than interims in the past. Not for my sake, but for the sake of the church and the ministry momentum that began under Jay’s leadership. That momentum needs to build, not diminish or even pause during this interim time.

Please consider this in-between time, as I do, the preface to a new chapter in our life together, not the new chapter itself. And pray, as I do, that our Lord Jesus will, in his time, place with us the man of his choosing.

This Sunday, August 25, is GET OUT and SERVE Community Sunday!!!

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power." 1 Corinthians 2:2-5

At GPBC we want a “demonstration of the Spirit’s power” to come from inside the walls of our faith family home and OUT into the neighborhoods, parks, businesses, homes, communities, city of Portland and world all around us! We want to help people follow JESUS together!!!

One of the primary ways we invite “a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” is through prayer. PRAYER IS KINGDOM MISSION SERVICE!
As we pray, we go with the Holy Spirit and we get the Holy Spirit out ahead of us so that we know that all faith that comes “does not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”

This CS we are going to GET OUT and SERVE together working side by side and using Prayer as our Kingdom Tool!

We will begin our service in the auditorium and then everyone will have an opportunity to Get Out and Serve by choosing one of the below service teams each of which will have designated prayer times, Bible verses that engage our children and families and opportunities for community connections. We will serve for about 45 -50 minutes. We will then regroup in the auditorium for a short Gathered Sharing Time and then take our picnic lunches over to Gabriel Park for more connecting, fun, and sharing of our Jesus stories!!!!

Let’s PRAY now for “a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” in and with us on Sunday so we may see faith that rests on the power of God grow in us, and out from us into our neighbors, into Portland and into this whole world for Jesus’ Glory!

Your Community Sunday Team

Service Team Choices:

Campus, Disc Golf Course Spruce up Team: Mary Ellen Adler, Doug Wachsmuth, Pat Murphy

This team will do light physical work outside and need gardening gloves and will have 2 designated prayer times

Children's Ministry Partner Team: Sally Bland
This team will be inside in our Children's area helping with resource cleaning and re-stocking needs and will have 3 designated prayer times and chairs for sitting

Prayer Walk Teams:

• Inside Prayer Walk: Laurel Nordlund, Caris Power
  • This team will walk in and around our building praying for all of the ministries and all others who use our building each week
• Two Outside Prayer Walk Teams:
  • These teams will walk out into our neighborhoods on a prayer walk which will involve uphill and downhill streets so wear comfortable shoes
    Team A: Scott Family
    Top entrance Shadowhills apts, Stephen’s Creek Crossing/Jewish CC, Top of hill behind church on Nebraska
    Team B: Bettinger Family
    Lower parking lot Habitat houses, Wilson HS, Top Entrance Shadowhills apts.

With the July 1^st start of our new fiscal year, we have much to look forward to. First let me say how honored I am to be serving you all as Greater Portland’s Property Manager. I look forward to managing our new budget which will allow us to upgrade another section of our leaky roof, replace a very noisy dishwasher and a repair a broken rear lobby door. Randy our Maintenance Technician and Tamara are also here to serve you, keeping our buildings well maintained, clean and attractive.  

 Because our property dumps large amounts of rain water into Stephens Creek, which runs adjacent to our property, we have partnered with the Bureau of Environmental Services to create Rain Gardens that will contain rain water and return it to the soil. An example of a working rain garden can be seen on the southwest corner of our property. I encourage you to check it out and notice how attractive they are! More rain gardens are in next year’s plans; all at the expense of the City of Portland.

 Our property sale to Habitat for Humanity is still in the Due Diligence phase, which is a very long process, so it will be quite some time before we see construction beginning. We’ll keep you update on that.

 Let me also mention that our Safety Team is looking for a few younger members. Our current “mature” team members are dedicated to serving you and keeping you safe. If you have an interest in joining us, please contact me at jmuirhead@pdxchurch.org or find me on a Sunday morning.

 The Lord has blessed us with a beautiful campus and two buildings that serve us well. My thanks to all of you for respectfully taking such good care of what we have.

Thanks everyone,

 John Muirhead  

Recently I was sitting at our breakfast table thinking about what to say in this communique regarding men and, specifically, our upcoming Men’s Retreat this fall. For some reason, an advertising slogan from the past came flashing across my mind: “Real Men Drink Milk.” (Note: I was not drinking milk at the time.) Reflecting on this recollection from the past, I came to the conclusion that the Lord was speaking to me. “Why?” I pondered. I rarely drink milk as it often upsets my sensitive stomach. So I was compelled to go back and investigate the when’s and why’s of this famous advertising campaign. I learned it came about in the mi’s at a time when milk was thought to be “for babies only.” To debunk this myth the “California Milk Processing Board” contracted an ad agency to promote the benefits of milk. The specific ads themed “Real Men Drink Milk” became a part of the overall “Got Milk” campaign. The goal was to boost the dairy industry through milk sales by communicating that milk can, in some capacity, strengthen men.

As I reflected on these thoughts, I was reminded of Peter’s words to Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor in the first century. He wrote that we are to be “like newborn babies, [who] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (I Peter 2:2). If you are anything like I am, the idea of being “like a newborn” baby is not something that comes naturally to me, because I like to think of myself as being independent rather than dependent. So if I am implored by the Lord to be a dependent person, I asked myself what am I to be dependent upon? I thought of that for a while and came to realize that I am to be dependent upon God’s love. Therefore, it is this very thing that we will explore deeply at our Men’s Retreat (November 15-17) in Turner, Oregon.

The theme of our retreat will be “Men AT Love.” Mark your calendars and be looking for the time to sign up. Space will be limited, so signing up early will assure you of what we expect to be a richly rewarding time with your GPBC brothers. 

“The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”  (I Timothy 1:5)

Picking Songs: Part 1

 Picking worship songs and putting together the order of service each week is one of the most fun and most daunting tasks I am privileged to do as part of my job every week on staff. I was once asked if I just picked my favorites each week to sing.  I wish it were that easy. In fact, seldom do I consciously choose songs based on personal preferences. Instead there are many, many other things I consider.

 In this first installment of “Picking Songs”, I’ll share about the first and most important test I put a new potential song through when I consider adding it to our song catalog.

 Show me a church’s songs and I’ll show you their theology.

Gordon Fee, Theologian

 TEST ONE:  Do the lyrics of the song faithfully represent Christ and His word?

 Our worship should always point us to Christ and the best way for it to do that is for our worship to be Word-centered. The entirety of scripture points to Jesus, so it should be our guide in worship. Our worship music should faithfully represent the Word of God. God’s word is also what beckons us to worship.

 John Stott, in his book The Contemporary Christian: Applying God’s Word to Today’s World he says, “God must speak to us before we have any liberty to speak to him. He must disclose to us who is he before we can offer him what we are in acceptable worship. The worship of God is always a response to the Word of God. Scripture wonderfully directs and enriches our worship.” This is also why we often begin our services with a call to worship straight from scripture. We are allowing space for God to reveal himself, so we can immediately have something to respond to him in praise.

 Someone once said, “we are what we sing.” Music has an uncanny way of helping us remember words. When we know the melody, we often know the lyrics, so let us sing songs that will allow the Word of Christ to “dwell in [us] richly” (Colossians 3:16).

 Not every song we sing, though, needs to have us neck deep in theological treaties, but every word should be true and accurate of God and the historical narrative of scripture. Some songs may be simple and repetitive, allowing space for our hearts to open to the Spirit’s leading. They may not be rich in many truths, but what they do say should be true. As a whole, we should be able to review our church’s songbook, see what portrait of our God is painted, and feel confident we have represented the fullness of Christ worthily.

 We’ll pick this topic up again in the future as we look at the how we pick the type of music that accompanies these valuable truths.

 If you want to read more about this topic, I would highly recommend Bob Kauflin’s book, “Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God.” In particular, part two of the book covers much of the material covered in this blog.

 I am praying that every opportunity we have to be together in corporate worship will increase our understanding, our trust, and our longing for the crucified and resurrected Christ.

 See you Sunday,

 Caris

Next week we have an amazing opportunity to reach beyond the walls of GPBC and bring the gospel to kids in the Southwest Portland community! We will be partnering with Missio and Riversgate to host Kids Day Camp—a fun and engaging week of VBS. Throughout the week, we will focus on God’s redemptive plan as seen in the Bible and how that plan involves and impacts our lives today! We are excited to see how God will transform the hearts and minds of the campers at Kids Day Camp!

 Our journey starts on Monday in Genesis 2 and 3. We will discover that God created man to be in perfect relationship with Him and how that relationship was shattered after Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. We’ll finish the day learning that God promised to make a way to restore our relationship with Him so we would not be separated from Him forever.

 On Tuesday, we take a deeper look into God’s redemptive plan by examining the covenant He established with His people through Abraham (Genesis 12 and 15). We also learn that we can become part of God’s family when we love and follow Him. On Wednesday, we explore how God is always in control as He leads the Israelites into the Promised Land—God was with Joshua and He is with us too (Joshua 1-4)! God is in control, and He is the source of our courage and strength, so we can have faith and trust Him every day and in every way!

 Thursday is the BIG DAY! WE GET TO SHARE HOW JESUS IS THE PROMISE!!! All week builds up to this big reveal…that through Jesus’ loving sacrifice our sins are washed away, and we are given the choice to be with God forever! We look at Matthew 21–28 and learn that Jesus is the promised Redeemer, the One who heals our broken relationship with God. After hearing about God’s love, there will be a time for campers to respond to God by deciding to follow Jesus!

 Finally, on Friday we learn the good news of God’s redemption and look at how the good news spread in the early church in Acts 2–8! After this awesome week of learning about God and connecting with Him, we will gather together with campers, their families and volunteers to celebrate how God touched the hearts of each and every one of us through Kids Day Camp!

 Thank you to everyone who signed up to volunteer, so we can bring Kids Day Camp to our community! We have volunteers from each church joining together as we look forward to God impacting families in SW Portland! Haven’t signed up to help yet? Can’t come into GPBC to serve? No problem! We need prayer warriors to pray throughout the week that the Holy Spirit will transform the hearts and minds of the kids, volunteers, and families at Kids Day Camp. I look forward to sharing with you the stories of how God has worked through VBS and SW Church Together!

 God Bless,

Sally Bland

Strange. No one has yet asked me what I learned on our recent pastoral visit to a few of our Global Partners. I’ve volunteered a bit of what I learned to some, but here’s my chance to answer the un-asked question.

 I learned, first, that our Global Partners are, without exception, the highest quality people we could hope for. Solid, valuable, and sacrificial are words even their colleagues use to describe them. They are completely devoted, sold out to blessing the world in the name of Jesus. Our church is honored to partner with servants such as these.

 Second, I learned that Greater Portland Bible Church is very unique in the way we connect with and care for our Global Partners. They told us that. But so did the missionaries with whom they serve who were sent by other churches or organizations. Those colleagues told us they have watched how we stay in frequent contact with our GPs and how we are quick to respond to the variety of needs that they have. And the fact that two pastors would be sent by this church half way around the world just to encourage and support and shepherd our Global Partners was over the top. That’s the excellent heritage of our church and the previous Global Partner Directors and teams. I and our present team are privileged to step into that heritage and to keep it going.

 A third thing, that I either read or heard in our travels, is that the greatest hindrance to the growth of the kingdom of Jesus is affluence. In South Africa for example, the prejudice, oppression, and injustice of apartheid has left a legacy of poverty for a large percentage of the population. And yet, the ministry of our Global Partners there is seeing people come to faith in Jesus and lives changed in ways that would be considered extraordinary in our affluent Portland churches. Our culture’s values of comfort, convenience, of consumerism and materialism are so ingrained in us that we don’t see them, even though they play a huge role in our choices and our actions.

 One more thing I brought home with me, having seen the single-minded devotion of our Global Partners, is the nagging suspicion that we, at GPBC, as good and as healthy a church as we are, still spend a lot of energy and effort on things that are good but not necessary to the growth of the kingdom of Jesus. Are we spending energy on feeding the already spiritually well-fed that could be spent on getting the Bread of heaven to those who are starving?

 Will you join me in praying that as we move into the next chapter of our church’s history, we will be able to discern that which is good from that which is necessary and respond appropriately?

 See you Sunday,

 Wayne

June is the best month to be an elder! We are reminded of God’s greatness as we wrap up our fiscal year and celebrate how He provided for Greater Portland Bible Church. I continue to be amazed as I see God work through many of you to provide for each other and for Greater Portland. Thank you Jesus!

 I also want to thank you! Tithing is intended to be a joy and a blessing with an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. We see that on display each week as you continue to respond to God’s prompting in the giving of tithes and offerings. Thank you for your continued stewardship of the things that God provides. I appreciate and value your support for the ministry’s efforts at Greater Portland not only through tithes, but going above and beyond to support efforts like Global Partners and Advent Conspiracy—your stewardship is clearly on display.

 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)

 Stewardship is about so much more than money. God is asking us to take care of all the resources that He provides—time, skills, talents, spiritual gifts, and yes, money. I see many of you use your gifts to serve our faith community through the ministries at Greater Portland. I see many of you use your gifts to serve our community through the food pantry, disc golf, Compassion Clinic, and Wilson High School clean-ups. Your faithfulness to use your gifts strengthens Greater Portland and affirms our commitment to the community.

 Finally, I want to thank the staff, ministry directors, and pastors for all the prayer, time, and effort that they put into pouring over their budgets. I know that it is a lot of work to review and prioritize how to invest in their ministries. I truly appreciate their commitment to walk alongside the elders in this process as we continue to focus on helping people follow Jesus together.

 Thank you for continuing to be faithful in ALL that God provides! I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as Jay is continuing in Proverbs.

 James

On Monday this week the following words were in my Jesus Calling devotional, “Rest in Me, My Child, Give your mind a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen. Pray continually, asking My Spirit to take charge of the details of this day. Remember that you are on a journey with Me. When you try to peer into the future and plan for every possibility, you ignore your constant Companion who sustains you moment by moment. As you gaze anxiously into the distance, you don’t even feel the strong grip of My hand holding yours. How foolish you are My Child! Remembrance of Me is a daily discipline. Never lose sight of My presence with you. This will keep your resting in Me all day, every day.” (I Thessalonians 5:17, Psalm 62:5)

The first thing that caught my attention in these words was the phrase, “Pray continually.” I also discovered, in looking up the verse, I Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray continually.” Just two words and written as a command. The word “continually” in the dictionary means “recurring frequently, not interrupted, and constant”. In the context of this passage in I Thessalonians 5:14-16, Paul is giving final instructions to the Thessalonians about how they are to live with one another. He urged them to live in peace with one another. He encouraged them not to be idle, but to be patient with everyone. He also said to make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong and to always be kind to each other. Then he says in verse 16, “Be joyful always; and in 17, “pray continually.” As I am in my daily tasks, relating to my family, friends, co-workers, and others, I am to be mindful of Jesus’ presence in my life. To pray continually would mean having conversations through the Holy Spirit about everything you are involved throughout the day. I don’t know about you, but I really have to be intentional and purposeful about practicing His presence in my daily life.

I am reading through Matthew for my daily focus, and I am again reminded how Jesus took time away to be with His Father. He followed His Father’s plan and not His own. I am so prone to planning and can easily forget the presence of the Lord. I can get worried about this or that and not first consult Jesus on the matter at hand. When I was a new believer, I remember reading a book called, “Practicing His Presence” by Brother Lawrence. It was life changing for me. To intentionally involve Jesus in my everyday life takes discipline, and it takes discipline now.

For several years now, Doug and I plan prayer renewals every couple of months, where we get away for a day or two. We have scheduled a prayer renewal for this week at the coast. What does that look like for us? We schedule a time of refreshment just to enjoy each other. Then, the next morning, we have time alone for several hours. During that time we can choose to have our intimate time with the Lord. We can take a walk with Him, taking time to do our Bible reading and have Him speak to us through His word. We ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us. After that time, we come together to share how God spoke to us, and we spend time in prayer. We will have a chance to pray continually. Taking time to be with the Lord needs to be intentional. I encourage you to ask the Lord to redeem your time and spend some quality time listening to Him. Have Him be part of your everyday living.

We look forward to getting away for our prayer renewals, because it gets us away from tasks around the house, ministry involvement, etc.

On August 13, I invite women in our church to come to my home and experience some prayer renewal through contemplative worship in the garden. More details to follow!

Remember, let’s remind each other to pray continually!

Summer is just around the corner, are you ready?! This time of year is always busy in the Bland household as we adjust our daily routines to a more fluid schedule—more accurately, a non-schedule

Now that we’ve finally hit the end of May, is anyone else out of breath? Did you find yourself counting down the days until June? How many assignments, banquets, recitals, projects, tournaments, tests, deadlines, and trips did you have to get done this last month? If you’re anything like me, you might start to feel a little empty by the end of it all.

My wife and I absolutely love summer. It means May is finally over, we get to be outside again, we get to play, and we finally get to rest. However, we realized, as we were looking at our calendar for the next few months, that this summer wasn’t exactly going to be that. We have our mission trip to Agassiz, BC, several camps, Summer Wednesdays in Ignite, out-of-town friends and family coming to visit, softball, and several other activities planned. These are all incredibly good things, and I’m so grateful to have all these opportunities, but how am I supposed to do them all running on empty? How do I keep this from becoming another May? Maybe your summer is starting to look like this too. If we’re not careful, we’ll feel much more like a desert going into the summer; dried up and not a lot of life left.

On our mission trip to Agassiz, the theme is going to be “Go Do Good” which comes out of Titus 2:11-14.

^“11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, ¹³ waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

This sounds incredible, but how exactly are we supposed to “Go Do Good” when we’re running on empty!?

Before I dig into this further, let’s talk about flowers.

Flowers? Yes, flowers. I know. I’m from the Midwest, so I might be the only one around here who didn’t know about this, but have you ever heard of the Super Bloom in California? In the deserts of Southern California, the land is usually barren and desolate for most of the year, but when the rain comes (this year especially) the desert floor explodes with a carpet of wildflowers. If you don’t know about it, Google it. It’s pretty incredible! Thousands of people come flocking to see the Super Bloom! Highways basically turn into parking lots as everyone stops and takes pictures and takes in all the beauty. The crazy part about it is that the flowers seem to come from nowhere! But from what I understand, the seeds were in the ground the whole time. They just needed some rain.

I realized that what I need isn’t necessarily a huge change in schedule, but to be completely saturated by all things Jesus in every part of my life. If we don’t take the time to be filled with the grace, truth and love of God, then we’ll end up more like the desert. But if we focus on letting Jesus become our source of life, energy, comfort, and rest, then a field of God’s love can bloom out of us all!

1 John 4:11-12 says, “⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.¹² No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

The Super Bloom is amazing, but Jesus, and what he blooms in the heart of people, is even greater. I don’t know where you are with this right now, but I simply invite you into the Jesus saturated life that produces so much goodness within the desert. I know that when we are drenched in the love of God, we are more than ready to bloom and let the sweet fragrance of Christ pour out of as we head into the Summer.

 Tanner Woolf

It’s Community Sunday!!! We get to be all together as one big faith family to remember and celebrate Jesus. Yippee! Anybody REMEMBER hearing these words lately?

“What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."  Acts 1:8 The Message

Just like the brand-new church in Acts, our church has been reminded during our Greater series of the phenomenal truth that the Holy Spirit is INSIDE of us and fills us so God can send us on mission everyday as “little living Jesus people.” Every day, we get to carry the personal invitation of God within us and witness with our lives to who Jesus is and who He wants to be for all people. That is something to CELEBRATE!!

"The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along. Who ever knows what you’re thinking and planning except you yourself? The same with God—except that he not only knows what he’s thinking, but he lets us in on it. God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. We don’t have to rely on the world’s guesses and opinions. We didn’t learn this by reading books or going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus, and we’re passing it on to you in the same firsthand, personal way...Spirit can be known only by spirit—God’s Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing… Isaiah’s question, “Is there anyone around who knows God’s Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?” has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ’s Spirit.”                                                1 Cor 2:10-16 The Message

If we want to Help People Follow Jesus Together, a key component of how we do this is by daily seeking the Spirit and Mind of Christ within us to lead us, fill us, course correct us, inspire us with ideas, with words, with actions, with prayers as we follow and invite others to follow Jesus.

Doesn’t Isaiah’s question quoted in 1 Corinthians feel as relevant today as it did then?

“Is there anyone around who knows God’s Spirit, anyone who knows what He is doing?”

YES!! Christ knows and WE have the Mind and Spirit of Christ. 

This Sunday we will seek the Mind and Spirit of Christ together, individually and collectively, as Jesus’ church through prayer, worship, connection, Bible reading, celebration of our student graduates and the sharing of a meal.   

We can’t wait!

Your Community Sunday Team

These last few weeks have been so bright and shiny. Now we’re into gray, wet and cooler days. People have cheered both, enjoying the best of the heat and the restorative return of the rain.

When I look back over our last month and a half together, I’ve seen the same for us in Jesus: moments of Spirit-led sunshine and the stormy challenges graying our ability to even see God. I think I feel a spiritual weather shift depending on my trusting Jesus more fully or relying too much on my own self. As a church, we all experience these same Spirit-blown weather systems complete with highs and lows. I wanted to share the truth that Jesus knows all and is in all we’re experiencing: summerlike pleasures and the isolated gloom of doubt-fueled emotions.

Jesus wants us to trust Him and find delight in all of it. He calms the storms, stills the boat, and shines out His very help and hope.

My favorite sunshine moments of the last month and a half include: Jay leading us in the Greater series and all the wonderful worship, planning and lifting up of Jesus we’ve experienced during Good Friday, Easter and the second part of Greater. Didn’t you see God’s best shining through His word, the songs, the prompting to prepare ourselves spiritually to encounter God with reverence each Sunday? That’s been pure sunshine, warming the heart. It is the content of the last two Greater Messages: God is now with us, as presented through the Gospels, and God’s Spirit fills us as seen through the writing of Acts and all the following words of Jesus’ Apostles, bursts forth shining! It’s so encouraging to know God is with us; He’s for us; His very Spirit holds us now, filling us and revealing more of Jesus in each of us, and as a community.

Didn’t you feel the heat and see the light of Jesus throughout our Global Partner Sundays? Whether being encouraged on how to best pack our spiritual backpacks to follow Jesus as His messengers or to celebrate and to learn more about the brothers and sisters risking it all for the hope of the Gospel to shine throughout the world, every Sunday felt full of fair-weather purpose. Jesus confirmed for us all, that we’re on mission for him as His church. And I felt myself challenged to be more ready to initiate friendships and conversations with “I’m a Jesus guy”, knowing He’s shining out and breaking into other lives around us all.

And more good weather? Our incredible youth and children hosting egg hunts and talent shows, all for the sake of furthering the Gospel into their worlds. Many efforts are currently taking place to plan and train our members to go out as laborers into His harvest. It is pure sunshine to see you all loving and encouraging this next generation. Wayne and Jay will be going out to love and support several of your global partners in the coming weeks, as well as our team ready to serve Jesus in Spain, through Dan and Eva’s Friendship House. Our Igniters have started to train intently for their July trip into Agassiz, Canada. These are the beautiful skies and sunny days we’re all privileged to be a part of here at Greater Portland Bible.

Then come the storms of life and the shallows of sin! So many of our loved ones and dear church family now experience pain, sickness, or feelings of isolation. All gray, with days seemingly filled with gloom. The phone call comes. The diagnosis is shared. A break is made. The soul anguishes for all we know who are missing life, fullness, and forgiveness. I know we have a sweet Savior who carries us and weeps with us. I am thankful for the shelter when it rains and blows. Our community is His shelter for us all, as we look out for those under the cloud. I am so thankful for all of you who call, who write, who visit and take time to walk, shoulder to shoulder, through the gloom. I am so thankful that we are family: we share the hurting and let others know. This openness and willingness to carry one another to Jesus begins to scatter thunderhead skies.

And as Jesus bursts through we see the future forecast ahead: Mostly sunny with a few scattered showers. We will walk in the light of ministering to our community in the coming days: Compassion Clinic, our Community Sunday Celebrations, Kids’ Day Camp, partnering with other churches as Southwest Church Together. Families are anticipating the end of the school cycle and the promise of summer sun. We hear the last of the Greater series: Jesus has already finished it all and has purchased us as his dear people, Children of Hope. God will be our forever source of light!

I am excited to see you all soon, out in the bright light of His day. I love the fact that we each are seeking Jesus, asking him to lead us. May God’s spirit more fully illuminate the day, so we more clearly understand His message and embrace our mission: Let’s shine with Him into Our Jerusalems, our Judeas, our Samarias and the outer reaches of the world.

Richard

I’ve been taking the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course for the last few months. It’s an important part of becoming competent in my new role as Global Partners Director for our church. One of our beloved Global Partners told me I had to take it. I’m glad she insisted.  

The course is about the spread of the story of Jesus (a.k.a., The Gospel) throughout the world, which we church people call Missions. It’s about the biblical theology of missions and the biblical mandate for global evangelism. We talked about a variety of mission strategies and about communication necessities. We looked at the history of missions from the early days of the church until now. 

All that I have been learning has been good but, not surprisingly, the things that have impressed me or moved me the most found their way into my last couple of sermons. For example, the truth that our God is a missionary God and that 4000 years ago he declared to Abraham that he was on a mission to bless all the nations and families of the earth and that he intended to use Abraham’s descendants to distribute that blessing. “You will be a blessing” was a command, not a prediction! The apostle Paul said that we Christians are descendants of Abraham by faith. As such, his command to be a blessing becomes a powerful motivation for telling people about Jesus, who is the blessing, both globally and locally. 

Another thing that has both impressed and moved me is the explosive growth of the Church in the last few decades. South America, Africa, and Asia have become the centers of world Christianity. The Chinese church, which is mostly underground, is expected to send out 50,000 missionaries in the next few years. The country where the Church is growing the fastest is Iran. Iran!

Around the world, it is estimated that almost 16,000,000 people are becoming followers of Jesus every year. This is the Age of the Harvest! Our Lord Jesus is now populating his kingdom with people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

All of this leaves me with a troubling question, though: Why not here? Since the Holy Spirit is drawing large numbers of people to Jesus in other parts of the planet, why not in Portland, the Northwest, or the whole US for that matter? I’m sure there are many reasons we could identify, but there are two characteristics of “Jesus movements” that are not yet present in our church or town: extraordinary prayer and abundant evangelism.  

Won’t you join me in asking Jesus, the Lord of the Harvest, to make these two characteristics become evident in our church and in his whole Church in the greater Portland area? 

See you Sunday, 

Wayne  
 

The Women’s Ministry Leadership Team has some exciting news to share, but first, let me say this. It’s our desire and mission as a team to help women follow Jesus together. As we look for opportunities to do that, we fight against the very natural human tendency to create simply fun, entertaining, and impressive events. Instead Jesus challenges us to remain in relationship with him, looking to him to lead and guide so that we can find ourselves in the middle of what God has already set in place. It starts with each of us individually on the team falling more in love with Jesus and learning more of what it means to follow Him. It extends then to our team and how we pursue God’s path for ministry.
 
As we have traveled the ministry road with God, he has been changing and growing not only each of us personally, but as a team, and we are excited to announce the next chapter He has led us to. Betty Lea has been invited and has accepted the role of our next women’s ministry director! Betty has faithfully served for many years and in many ways in our church community. She has been part of the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team for several years, and brings her experience and servant heart, developed through her own unique and personal journey. Betty is always in the middle of getting to know new people, as well as encouraging many of us along the way. There are many qualities of a leader that we’ve seen in Betty, and we are honored that she will take us into the next chapter of serving our women. The Leadership Team will be right behind her, supporting and cheering her on! Welcome Betty!
 
We also have some upcoming events we are excited about. We hope you’ll join us in following Jesus together through these:
 
July 11-July 23
Women’s Summer Bible Study: “Taste and See”
This spiritual adventure could change the way you read the Bible forever...and the way you approach every meal. Let’s taste and see God’s goodness as we go on a culinary exploration of Scripture together this summer on Tuesday evenings, June 11 through July 23, 6:30-8:30 in the Deschutes Room. Register here. 
 
July 8-12
Volunteering at Kids Day Camp
Children’s Ministry is sponsoring this opportunity for our women to come and serve alongside others as we provide a fun and meaningful summer experience for children. So many volunteers are needed for a variety of different roles and time slots. Check out all the options and sign up to help here: https://signup.com/go/ppYYyhb.
 
July 16
Summer Park Play Date
Ladies, bring your kids, grand-kids, or just yourself to come hang out with other women while the kids play at Gabriel Park, Tuesday, July 16, 10am-12pm.
 
August 15
Hoodie Giveaway at Stephens Creek
Hit those upcoming sales and help us donate at least 200 new hoodies to the children for back-to-school.
 
October 5-6
Women’s Retreat
Join us for this two-day, overnight retreat just for women at the beautiful and fun Aldersgate Retreat Center in Turner, OR. More details coming soon! Check out our location here: https://aldersgateretreat.com/ 
 
Safe Families for Children
Interested in getting involved in this ministry or finding out more about it? Talk to Sandi Cox or check out https://safefamiliespdx.org/how-you-can-help.
 
Serving Jesus with you,
 
Susan Fleming on behalf of our Women’s Team –
Betty Lea, DiAne Dodge, Paulette Williams, Katie Gjurgevich, Kathy Anderson, Sandi Cox, and Reyna Badillo 

On March 15, 2019, some of you may remember that I wrote a blog on the “Season of Refresh” that began with a new sermon series, “Greater” for Sunday mornings. Pastor Jay began the series with Genesis and took us through the Old Testament. As we finished the Old Testament, we were encouraged to see how our story interconnects with God’s story. Then, we were encouraged to have a Season of Refresh as we prepared for Easter.

This is what I wrote in the blog. “I really enjoyed hearing about the Season of Refresh as I prepare for Easter. I believe it is a season also of renewal and a refocus on Jesus. A Season of Refresh, I believe, may include more time to reflect and concentrate on the intimacy with Christ.”

About a week from writing this blog I was diagnosed with pneumonia and had to be on bedrest for a while with antibiotics and medication. I wouldn’t say I had a Season of Refresh right away, but in time I realized that God was showing me to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). I don’t know about you, but I get restless and impatient when I get sick. I really don’t like being sick! Suffering, whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual, humbles us before God as we pray for healing and relief. We were told by the doctor that it would be at least seven weeks to recover. I needed REST. I was glad for the NCAA basketball playoffs for the first ten days, because I was occupied in watching something I enjoyed. By the way, I need the prize for attempting to watch all the games! To be honest I did fall asleep on some of them because of the medication.

Why do I call this blog, “Season of Refresh Revisited”? It is because my heart became drawn to my intimate relationship with Jesus during my recovery from pneumonia. First of all, being sick was beyond my control. I had to submit to His way in my life. This time being sick I found myself being refreshed in the Word, because I took my time to ponder what I was learning instead of just trying to do the assignment for my Bible study on Tuesday mornings. I began to experience a deeper hunger for prayer. Being sick made me pray diligently for others who are suffering. Also, the Holy Spirit led me to go through a 31-day prayer book. I was led to pray for different people and groups of people each day. Praying scriptures over each of the relationships, ministries, and, really, seeking the Lord behind closed doors has been a new way of praying for me.

In this Season of Refresh, I experienced the love and support of my husband, Doug, and family and those in our community. We appreciated the wonderful meals that were brought to us as well as cards and flowers. I appreciated the prayers of our community. My season of refresh was experienced because of your prayers.

Once I began to feel better, I made myself use caution as I returned to the routines of life (as well as my husband reminding me to allow full recovery!). I need to be aware of how “slowing down” is important for keeping my soul refreshed in Jesus. To not be caught up with distractions that take away the joy and contentment of my daily living with Jesus takes work. I need to be intentional if I want to be healthy in my spiritual walk with Jesus. It doesn’t have to come from being sick, but Jesus can use anything to get our attention.

It was pure joy to be back at church for the last two weeks. I would not have chosen the circumstance of being sick, but I can truly say I am refreshed in Jesus. God used this circumstance to prepare me for Easter, and I truly rejoice in His resurrection in my life.

See you Sunday!
Joyce Wachsmuth

P.S. Reminder: The Aging Well and Planning For The Future Workshops are this Saturday, 9am-1pm. Register online or at the door: $5.00 pre-registration and $6.00 at the door. You may choose three workshops: Brain Health, Downsizing, Alzheimers and Dementia, Depression and Anxiety, Driving Safety, Balance, and Wills and Trust.

What does Easter mean to you? Last Sunday we asked some of our preschool and elementary students that question, and it made me think what my answer would be. As a child, growing up in a non-Christian home, Easter simply meant a visit from the Easter Bunny. I remember being excited to wake up and see what the Easter Bunny brought us! When I was young, I heard about Jesus, but I didn’t truly understand what was special about His sacrifice or why it was even needed. It wasn’t until I was an adult and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior that Easter became a time for me to remember and celebrate God’s redeeming love and power!

On Good Friday we reflect on Jesus’ surrender and sacrifice at the cross. Jesus endured suffering and death because He loves us. The sin in our lives separates us from God. We can do nothing in our own strength to mend that broken relationship, it is only through Jesus’ sacrifice that our sins are redeemed. When we accept Jesus, sin no longer holds power over our lives! We are free!!

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
–Romans 6:6-7

Jesus’ death on the cross was necessary to save us, but even death could not defeat Him! On Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death! This part of Jesus’ story is what confused me when I was a child. After all, how can a man who was dead for three days come back to life? Do you see the truth about Jesus I was missing? I did not understand that Jesus was God and that He had power over death! That knowledge changed everything for me and gave me faith to believe in a God who was more powerful than anything else in the world:

For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him.
–Romans 6:9

When we decide to follow Jesus and accept His sacrifice, our lives are forever changed! God welcomes us into His family. We are free from the bondage of sin and do not need to fear death as we look forward to spending eternity with Jesus! I may not have understood this truth when I was a child, but I am filled with immense joy that my children know who Jesus is! I pray that this Easter weekend your family spends time with God, remembering and celebrating who He is and how He changed your lives through His loving sacrifice. Please join us this Friday (Good Friday) and Sunday (Easter) as we continue to worship our loving and powerful God! I hope to see you there.

God Bless,
Sally Bland

I really drew a blank when I was thinking about what to write regarding Global Partners Emphasis month. There is plenty to write about concerning our experience living overseas, but you all already know so much about that because you supported us and prayed for us all eight years we lived in Tajikistan. Sharing with you about how to love the world through loving our global partners is like preaching to the choir. You are pro’s at it. We repeatedly told our sending organization, Frontiers, that our church community could teach classes to churches about how to care for global partners. You did that so well for us and continue to do that for our current global partners.

 High five! Great job!

 When I was pondering what to encourage us to consider this year, there was one thing I continued to come back to. It’s the same thing I came back to over, and over, and over, and over again while living overseas. And not just me: our team, our organization and most of the other organizations working in the unreached world. Many of you too!

 I’ll tell you what it is in in a second, but first know that we tried our very best, and I know our global partners try their very best, to leak Jesus wherever we were, whatever we were doing. We researched. We strategized. We planned. We took every opportunity to share the Word of God, pray for people, love people by having them in our home, feeding them, listening to them, offering projects and services that were valuable to them, becoming contextual to them to meet them where they were at, showing up at weddings, funerals, any important gathering. We did everything we could think of to find the ones who were being prepared to know Jesus. But so few of them actually came to receive the grace of God in Christ. At one point, it seemed like everyone we were pouring our lives out for were becoming more committed Muslims! We tried to be encouraged that they were becoming hungrier for God and were turning to the only path they’d ever known. That it was at least a sign that something was happening in them. But that’s not why we moved our family across the world. We wanted to see people set free from a life of believing that God was constantly testing them, watching from afar to see if they’d do the right thing, to a life of knowing God and being known by him.

 Blank looks and hollow religious phrases met so many of our efforts to reach out. That gets pretty discouraging. It became very clear to us that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Cor. 4:4) and that “only through Christ is it (the veil) taken away” (2 Cor. 3:14). Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). We kept coming back to the need to pray. Isn’t that the way it goes? We couldn’t open people’s eyes, only the Holy Spirit could. We repeatedly heard about movements of people coming to Christ in the unreached world and always at the root of the movement was extraordinary prayer. “Extraordinary prayer” sounded awesome and intimidating: It sounded like all-night prayer times and praying for hours on end. I looked at my three little kids and busy home and life and the reality that I could hardly get 15 uninterrupted minutes of anything and thought, “How?” Tim Keller says that extraordinary prayer is just extra prayer over what you ordinarily pray. If you don’t regularly pray, try praying for two minutes. If you pray for 20 minutes a day, try praying for 30. Just ask God to give you some ideas of how to pray “extra” over what you ordinarily pray. The way he put it made it seem like something we could try.

 As we consider how much more we might support our global partners during this emphasis month, let’s also ask God to show us how we might pray “extra” for our global partners and their areas of influence.

 It doesn’t matter how “small” your extra is. When, as a global partner, you send out a prayer request to “your people” (that’s you guys) and you get back 30 responses – even if they are just a quick “praying!” message – it really bolsters your faith and reminds you that you’ve got an army fighting battles with and for you. Maybe you want to be placed on a global partner’s prayer list. Maybe you want to put the list of our global partners in a more visible place to remind you to pray. Maybe you want to pray for a different global partner every day or have a certain day of the week or month that is your “pray for the global partners” day.

 It is such a privilege and pleasure to be part of the army of pray-ers with you all. May we be amazed at what God does in and through us as we partner with him in prayer a little extra this year.

 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)

 When I was in Austin, Texas in 2001, a business colleague introduced me to a Bible study software platform that was free to download. This tool helped me research quickly word meanings, background information, as well as many other things that I used to look up in many individual books. The program I was introduced to was “e-Sword of the Lord.” This transition enabled me to be far more efficient in accessing concordances, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps and commentaries. I have encouraged others to adopt this tool, as it is free and very user friendly. Over the years, I have purchased modules to add on to the base platform that have been of great assistance. If you have a hunger to study in detail God’s Word, this is a very effective tool to start with.

 Over the years, I have had many people ask me what authors I like. It has always been an odd thing with me that if I am reading strictly for recreation I prefer mystery novels that fill in time. I read many of these books during the long mind-numbing hours of air travel during my career. But my serious reading has been more focused on Bible Commentaries and books that I believed had content that would help me grow in my faith and understanding of God’s Word. I particularly enjoy the works of Harry Ironsides, G. Campbell Morgan, Martyn Lloyd Jones, John Stott, CS Lewis, Donald Grey Barnhouse, William Barclay and AW Tozer. But the works of Ray Stedman are my favorite, for it was Ray’s personal interest in reaching out to me when I was so lost in my early 20’s that has helped me. Not only was Ray a wonderful expositor, he was a wonderful man. Just two years ago, Martha, whom it seems everyone knows, and I were able to visit Ray’s wife Elaine. What a rich time we had with this dear lady. During our time with Elaine, I shared with her that the impact Ray had on me the most was I had been able to see and know a man who had entered God’s rest. What a memory that has left with me.

 It has taken some 57 years of life to begin to comprehend what it means to enter God’s rest. As I have learned over the years, it is true what the writer of Hebrews says, “For we who have believed entered that rest” (Hebrews 4:3, NASB). It is implied from the previous verse that entering God’s rest is by faith. In my quest to “search a matter out”, I have become more convinced than ever that what I am discovering produces rest in my soul and spirit. As Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Mathew 11:28-30, NASB).

 My prayer is that the family at GPBC will come to rest in Him!

 God Bless!

 Dave McLaren

As many of you know, this last Friday was Fight Night! And if you weren’t there, it’s not what it sounds like! We had an amazing night filled with humor, fresh insight, and new strategies for our relationships. The incredible teaching of Les and Leslie Parrott made for such a fun night! My wife, Kendall, and I will celebrate our one-year anniversary on April 7th, and we have been immersed in so many of the books and education having to do with marriage this year. We’ve gone through such great material together, but Fight Night was a breath of fresh air. We were able to laugh at ourselves, enjoy the company of other people striving to grow in relationships, eat way too much cake, and learn practical ways to fight a good fight. As we go through a season of refreshment as a church, it was so nice to do the same thing for our relationships!

… And then we went home.

As we hovered over our late-night Taco Bell at our dining room table, we started having one of the most intense arguments we’ve had in a long time. (I hope you see how ironic this turn of events is.) You know a fight is intense when you don’t even finish your Taco Bell! We were probably only moments away from a beefy five-layer burrito potentially being thrown across the table when we just stopped and realized what was happening. We just spent an hour arguing over the very same things we were laughing about earlier in the night! From there we were able to use a lot of the language and practical advice from Fight Night and turn it in to an amazing conversation that we have both grown and learned from!

Here’s the thing - relationships are hard work, but totally worth it. It doesn’t matter if you are newlyweds, “oldy-weds”, seriously dating, engaged, or single. It doesn’t matter if it’s with your spouse, family member, friend, co-worker, or even someone in your small group. Relationships require work! Kendall and I could have taken an easy route and discussed nothing, held everything in, and pretended like we were fine. Thankfully, God doesn’t always call us to take the easy route in relationships. Growing relationships cause you to lean into conflict, to serve one another, make time for one another, and overall just love one another. We see in Acts 2 what happens to a community of people that are so in love with God and loved by God that they can’t help but show that love to those around them. The Kingdom of God grows in an incredible way when we decide we are going to work hard in our relationships! Sometimes this looks like genuine moments of love and care, and sometimes it looks like getting Taco Bell and fighting a good fight.

Kendall and I are grateful to be a part of a community here at GPBC that cares about relationships and will do whatever it takes to love one another! Thank you to Joyce Wachsmuth for putting together Fight Night for all of us and thank you to this church for being a place that commits to helping people follow Jesus together.

See you all on Sunday!!

Tanner

Two Sundays ago, Pastor Jay introduced our community to a Season of Refresh, with a new sermon series for Sunday mornings. The sermons will be on the  Greater Story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. He challenged us to see how our story connects with this Greater Story of Jesus. The question for me personally then is, how does my story  connect with the Greater Story of Jesus, and how am I living out my story in light of the Greater Story of Jesus?

Traditionally and historically, some have observed the Lent season beginning with Ash Wednesday with some rituals and traditions. I grew up in a church that observed and participated in the Lent rituals. As a child, I remember giving up meat on Fridays and I was encouraged to give up things in my life as a sacrifice to God. When I became a Christian and accepted Jesus into my heart, I really rebelled against those rituals as an obligation of preparation for Easter. I have since appreciated some of those practices, but I believe it is always about my heart attitude.

I really enjoyed hearing about the Season of Refresh as I prepare for Easter. I believe it is a season also of renewal and a refocus on Jesus. A Season of Refresh, I believe, may include more time to reflect and concentrate on my intimacy with Christ. Pastor Jay also challenged us to think of one thing we would like to change or give up on what we are doing in our life and what is one thing we would like to add. He called it  “One plus One.” To be honest I knew what I needed to change or give up and that was less time watching TV. I enjoy watching series on NetFlix or Prime Video. Please don’t misunderstand me, I needed to do less watching, not no watching of TV. I also enjoy watching college basketball, so no watching of TV would be impossible! Remember that the Lord will reveal what you need to change or give up. Everyone is different. The “plus One” for me is to spend more time reflecting during my time in the Word and to do more journaling. I give you permission to ask me how I am doing, and maybe you might be willing to share how you are doing in this Season of Refresh.

So, getting back to the question of how my story connects with the greater story of Jesus. Here are some of my thoughts.  Let me include you in my first draft! I have been reading the book, “The Call” by Os Guinness for Don Westerberg’s Sunday morning class. It has really challenged me to consider, first of all, that my primary calling is to be a follower of Christ. Many times I get caught up in what Os Guinness calls our secondary callings. For me, my secondary callings are to be a servant of Jesus in my marriage, and family;  ministry callings, etc. So, how I live out the story needs to be with the sole purpose of being a follower of Christ. As a follower, I need to be aware of how I love others in my life. Do I love my family and friends with an unconditional love? Do they see Jesus in all that I do and say?

I look forward to exploring more about how I am living out my story in light of the Greater Story of Jesus. Our life story is a journey, so let’s continue this dialogue with one another.

Last Sunday morning we experienced our first time of setting aside five minutes before the service begins at 10:30 to focus on prayer. This is part of our Season of Refresh before Easter. Many participated and some asked if we could extend this time. So, this Sunday, we are adding five more minutes to this time. That means we will begin our guided prayer time at 10:20 in preparation for our worship at 10:30!  Come and join us!

See you Sunday!

Joyce Wachsmuth

<Nerd alert!>

I love beginning a new sermon series at church.

I do!

Is anyone else feeling me on that one?

There are several reasons for it: The start of something fresh. Hearing the vision behind why the pastor has chosen a particular portion of scripture to take our church through. And then there is just scripture itself. It’s so amazing!!! 

Are you feeling me on that one? Perhaps not, but that’s ok. I wasn’t always so excited about the Word of God. It often felt confusing and boring. Sure those Bible stories about Daniel and the lion’s den and the parting of the Red Sea were pretty cool but the rest of it…I mean, come on! Seriously, why should I care about ancient genealogies, a zillion kings who “did evil in the sight of the LORD”, or weird prophesies that really smart people disagree on their meaning. Pass. 

But God. 

But God, in his infinite mercy and wisdom chose to not leave me believing that, but showed me, through several significant experiences in my life, the grace and joy to be found in his entire Word. Have you had any encounters with the Bible that has done that for you? 

Here are my top four in chronological order:

HIGH SCHOOL I had been a Christian since I was a young kid and had been going to church my whole life. However, I suddenly decided I needed to read the entire Bible from start to finish. I’d probably read most of the New Testament by then, but the big OT was totally intimidating. I started with Genesis and actually made it through a big chunk of the major prophets before getting bogged down, possibly in Jeremiah. However, even though I didn’t finish at that time, suddenly a ton of pieces of a puzzle I had been holding for years fell into place. All those Bible stories from Sunday school had a place in a larger story. Knowing the story of Israel suddenly made the story of Jesus make way more sense. The picture was coming together.

COLLEGE BIBLE STUDY I got invited to a Bible study within the first hour of being at college. However, Bible study in high school youth group hadn’t been terribly exciting, so I wasn’t feeling particularly roused by the invitation. But the people who invited me seemed genuinely interested in me, and it was just down the hall, so I went. One week. It only took one week, and I was hooked. We studied primarily the gospels. The stories of Jesus’ interactions with people was our focus. We were encouraged to step into the feet of the disciples, into the blind man and the bleeding woman’s life. We were pushed to ask questions. And there were some people who asked the dumbest questions. Or so I initially thought, in all my arrogant “I’ve been brought up in the church and think I know everything” pride. Those questions and their answers had me looking at those stories in completely new ways. Scripture was suddenly ALIVE for me. 

MANUSCRIPT STUDY I’m still in college and this time I’m invited to the Mark Study, a year-long invitation to study the book of Mark through the manuscript method. I wasn’t sure what the manuscript method was and it didn’t sound particularly stimulating, but I’m already hooked on Scripture by then, and I’m an extrovert, so studying with 20 other people sounds amazing! And it was! The manuscript method took the text out of its book form with its headers, verse numbers, section breaks, footnotes removed and gave us just the words of God on paper with a ton of room to take pens and mark it up with questions, observations, repetitions, whatever it was that jumped off the page to us. We got to do that individually for 30 min, then we broke into groups of 2-3 and shared what we saw for another 30 minutes, then the final hour was spent in the large group discussing the passage. We got our hands dirty in a different piece of scripture every week. As Jesus’ words became clear through my and the group’s study of the text, I realized I couldn’t ignore them. They demanded my application. And now God’s word was sharper than any two-edged sword and was penetrating my heart. 

GREATER PORTLAND Then came Wayne Williams, Jay Gjurgevich, and the preaching guild at Greater Portland. Every passage of scripture points to Jesus? Are you crazy? Oh, but there you go, finding Jesus in every story weekly, without fail. And because of you, I grow to be even more excited for scripture because in the Word I now see my Savior everywhere. 

He’s there at Creation, He’s there at the fall. 
He’s there at Abraham’s promise and at David’s call. 
And through each story and letter and psalm, 
I see God’s narrative active and strong; 
bringing to completion His purpose and goal 
to redeem His creation and bring them back whole

Do you see the big story? It’s ok if you don’t. Pastor Jay and the preaching team have you covered! This new series we’ve begun called “Greater” is going to show us the great and awesome narrative God has been weaving from the creation of the world until now and beyond. It will help put so many of those smaller Bible stories into context, put you in awe of the One who has written the story, and humble us as we find our place within it. 

Come and find that perhaps scripture has more there than you originally thought. Don’t miss a week!

My prayer is that God’s Word comes more alive for you, and, as it does, you find the Savior it all points to. 

In the story with you, 

Caris

P.S. I’m really looking forward to our Refresh Worship times! Will you join me, the worship team and others at 10:25am in the auditorium each Sunday as we prepare to meet with God together?

We Need to be Refreshed

He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. Psalm 107:35

Having grown up in the desert areas of Arizona, biblical metaphors like the one above from the Psalms make perfect sense to me. There are few things more precious in the desert than water. When the rare summer rain comes to cover the blazing rays of the sun, to turn the scorching wind into a cool breeze, and to purify the heavy, dust-filled air, it seems like there is nothing that could be more refreshing.

The Psalmists, who themselves were desert-dwellers, understood how refreshing the rain in the desert truly was, so much so that they used this metaphor to describe a deeper spiritual reality of the true goodness of God. Especially in the ancient agrarian culture of the Bible, farmers in the desert knew that beyond being merely refreshing, the rain was vital for survival. Rain in the desert was life-giving and life-sustaining. Without it, there was no hope for life.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus also used the imagery of rain to refer to the blessings and provisions of God:

For (God) makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45

Just as the dry and lifeless desert is absolutely dependent on the nourishment and refreshment of the rain to survive, God has created us so that we are absolutely dependent on the nourishment and refreshment of His Spirit to survive spiritually.

Because this is true, we need to be refreshed and we need to seek refreshment from God. Spiritual refreshment happens from God and it happens to us. We are not entirely passive in this process, but, for it to happen, we are completely dependent on the Lord to do it. With that in mind, there are times in our lives where we need to seek a special season of spiritual refreshment.

We know that God has also designed His creation with seasons that change throughout the year. In Arizona, we only had two seasons, hot and hotter! In Portland, we get to experience all four seasons, and currently we are in a season where we are looking forward to the arrival of spring. I am writing this on a day where snow has been falling all day, covering the ground with fresh white powder. As beautiful as that is, most of us are anxiously awaiting the spring season. There are few things more refreshing than when the rain combines with the light of spring to bring the rose bushes to bloom and the leaves on the dormant trees to sprout in brilliant shades of green.

This Sunday, as a church family, we are going to begin an intentional time of spiritual refreshment, as we seek for the Lord to refresh us, both as individuals and as a community. This season will coincide with the 40 day Lenten (meaning “spring”) season that the historical Church has observed as a time of preparation, reflection, and repentance in joyful anticipation of Resurrection Sunday (“Easter”).

This “Refresh” season will go from this Sunday, March 3 until Resurrection Sunday on April 21. Our purpose for this season is to intentionally seek the God who refreshes us, both individually and as a community.

Among the things that we are going to introduce this Sunday as a part of our Refresh season are:

A New Sermon Series. Our “Greater” series is going to take us through the entire Bible in eight Sunday morning messages, connecting the dots of the biblical story together to discover how we live out God’s story today.

A Season of Focused Prayer. We will be focusing on five areas of prayer that are specific to this season of preparation.

A Season of Focused Worship. Beginning on March 10, we will be dedicating a time before every Sunday morning worship service for prayer and preparation.

The 1 + 1 Challenge. As a movement to help us seek the Lord, we are going to be challenged to drop at least one thing that hinders and pick up one thing that helps in our lives to follow Jesus more closely during the Refresh season.

An Outward Orientation. We are going to focus ourselves on being more intentional in reaching out to our city in the name of Jesus.

As if all of this wasn’t enough, we are also going to be presenting our new church logo this Sunday!

As you can see, we have a lot planned for this Sunday, so you won’t want to miss it. The elders and staff are excited for what this milestone Sunday is going to bring and we look forward to seeing you then!

Jay 

This is COMMUNITY SUNDAY! Four times a year we get to be all together as a whole faith family and we love it!!! We will be doing Battle through Prayer using The Armor of God from Ephesians 6:16-20 as our inspiration! 

The imagery used in Ephesians 6 is one of Battle. It includes six pieces of Armor that God gives us as His “Church Army” so that we can join Jesus in his fight against Evil and for the Salvation of Everyone! On Sunday, we are going to focus on three pieces: the Shield of Faith, the Sword of the Spirit, and the Helmet of Salvation.

I am an ENTHUSIASTIC ACTION person so this Battle imagery appeals to me because of the implied movement, physical engagement and advance. Yeah, Jesus, let’s go fight, Evil!!! Props for the Armor, I’m in!!

Honestly, though, no matter how many times I have read these verses in Ephesians 6, I am not expecting God to say, “Ok, everyone, suit up and GET to PRAYIN’!” But those are exactly our Marching Orders.

“Prayer is essential in this on-going warfare. Pray Hard and Long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. And don’t forget to pray for me. Pray that I will know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery of the Gospel to one and all, the Message for which I am an Ambassador in chains, pray that I get it out fearlessly, as I should.” Ephesians 6:16-20 The Message

I have much to learn about the Battle that God is fighting for the souls of people everywhere and about how He fights it. I am clear from Ephesians that Prayer is Essential in this battle. I am equally clear that I need all of you praying for me so that I will stay engaged and not fall behind or drop out of God’s Great Story.

And, I want to pray for you as you pray for me, like Paul and the Ephesians prayed for each other, that we will not only stay in the fight but we will boldly and fearlessly speak the Good News of Jesus as our daily battle cry.

Have I beaten the metaphor enough?!?

Last one, ATTENTION GPBC, FALL IN!!! We are going to Battle together on Sunday through Prayer!!! 

Feel free to get a head start on getting your Armor on by praying through Ephesians 6:10-20. 

See everyone Sunday,

Janet and your Community Sunday Team

We are in TROUBLE!  Now that I have your attention…
 
We aren’t really in trouble, but I have been concerned about the Global Partnership (GP) Emphasis that is scheduled for the three Sundays of March 31, April 7 and April 14. For those who are new or newer to our faith community, let me explain a little about the GP Emphasis that we hold each year. At Greater Portland Bible Church, we have two budgets: our general budget that covers the staff and operating costs of our church and a Global Partnership budget that covers the support and care for our Global Partners. We have fourteen families, individuals and/or ministries that we support from the GP budget. Each year we are graciously given three Sundays in which we invite keynote speakers, Skype with some of our Global Partners during the main gatherings, and ask our faith community to make prayer and financial pledges towards the new fiscal year budget, which begins July 1.
 
So, why am I concerned you might ask? It would be easy to fall into a pattern of thinking that the GP Emphasis is just another thing that we do as a faith community. The result of that kind of thinking could easily lead to complacency and a decline in our collective financial and prayer support of our Global Partners. If I am honest, I need to guard against this kind of thinking, because, after all, every year that I have been involved with the GP Emphasis our faith community has generously responded to the call. It would be easy to slip into the incorrect thinking that all we, as the Global Partnership Team, must do is put on the right program and say the right things and the needed support will automatically be provided.
 
The GP Emphasis is NOT about a program. Supporting missions has been and continues to be in the very DNA of our church and is an integral part of our identity. We are dependent upon the movement of the Spirit as we join Jesus in being “on mission” both locally and globally.
 
Let me take this opportunity, on behalf of our GP Team and our Global Partners, to thank you for responding to the biblical mandate “to go and make disciples of all the nations.” Let us collectively renew our resolve to be even more intentional this year in sharing the Gospel message of hope and healing to both our local community and to the nations around the globe.

Fran Pelinka went to be with the Lord on Sunday evening, January 27. Fran was a loyal friend to many. With the gift of hospitality, she faithfully coordinated our greeters for our morning service. She did that for 13 years. She was also one of the small group leaders for our women’s Bible study for many years.  She was married to David for 30 years. She and David have been a part of our community since the 1990’s. These are facts about Fran, but I would like to tell you more about who she was as a friend, and as a beloved follower of Christ.

 Once you were a friend of Fran, she was willing to be part of your life by the special way she showed her love for you. When you were with her, she made you feel loved by the way she listened and affirmed you. She was thoughtful, and she looked for ways to bless you. She loved nature, and as a photographer she took a lot of pictures and made greeting cards in a very unique way. Hopefully, you were the recipient of a card from her. I will never forget how she and David went to Hawaii and took the time to check out the village where I grew up. She took a picture of the sign and made a greeting card. I was able to give the cards to my brothers and sisters at a family reunion and they were very touched. She also made a greeting card of my great-grandfather’s church in Hawaii (historical landmark). The church was established in 1850 and I have a copy of the card. She was very generous and humble. I will truly miss her friendship and time with her.

 Fran was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, and she loved the Lord with all her heart and soul. In whatever she did, she wanted to bring glory to the Lord.  She really loved the Word of God. She knew the Word and constantly looked for ways she could be more like Jesus. She was the leader of my group in the morning women’s Bible study, and she led with a desire to see transformation in our lives. She was honest and shared the things that grieved her, but at the same time, she was always positive and thanking the Lord for all that He had done for her. She loved the women in the group and the women loved her, too.  She led with excellence and integrity. She also loved the hymns and enjoyed singing the old hymns. I will never forget our last class with her, how excited she was when she realized through the study that there was joy when the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) created the heavens and the earth.  She was so excited and it was inspirational. I can still see her raising both hands to share this revelation that she saw through studying the Word.

 We know that Fran was greeted by the Lord when He said, “Welcome thou good and faithful servant!” Fran, we will see you again! Thank you for blessing our lives!

 Let us continue to keep praying for David, her husband, as well as her family here and away as they grieve this unexpected loss. May they feel His presence of comfort and peace in the coming days.

 See you Sunday!

Paulette and I were on vacation out of state for two Sundays in January and, as enjoyable and refreshing as it was, it was really good to be back with the community we love last week. And to share in the Lord’s table with you all was especially meaningful. Communion is a “memorial meal.” Jesus said, “do this in remembrance of me.” It’s an opportunity to remember that he provided our forgiveness and salvation at great cost to himself.

 But in the Bible, remembering is not just a cognitive event. We don’t come to communion and say, “Crackers and juice? What’s that about? Oh yeah, now I remember, Jesus died for me,” like it had somehow slipped our mind. In the Bible, ‘to remember’ means to recall some truth or some event and then let it direct or change the way we live. It means to act on what we know so that we experience the truthfulness of it and our heart is changed. Knowing is not enough. It’s one thing, for example, to know that honey is sweet, but it’s a whole other thing to taste honey and experience the sweetness of it.

 Over the years, I have known many of the wonderfully sweet truths that the Bible teaches. I have known, for example, that “God loves me more than I can imagine,” and “the Holy Spirit of Jesus lives in me and can direct me,” and “the Bible will help me know Jesus and get closer to him,” and so many more sweet truths of our faith. I have ‘remembered’ (acted on) those truths as best I knew how, and have experienced the sweetness of them, but only inconsistently.

 It was our CORE class that taught me how to remember (in the biblical sense) God’s truth consistently. By dramatically increasing intake of his truth and dramatically decreasing exposure to our secular media’s influence, I ‘remembered’ daily and began to experience, to taste the sweetness of, Jesus’ presence with me and of the life he has for us to live.

 I long for you to taste of his sweetness consistently, so I encourage you to register for our next CORE class, which begins on Sunday, February 10, right after the worship service. You can sign up on our website or in the lobby this Sunday.

 See you Sunday,

 Wayne

I am so thankful for you, my Church family. As I slide into the routines of January (work, home, and life), I look forward to the constant rhythm of our gathering together, worshiping Jesus and sharing our lives. I don’t know about you, but the days seem to be coming fast with lots to do ahead. There’s caring for the home-front, tendering all within our spheres. There are the expectations and energy outlay to do the jobs required, fulfilling every demand. And then the life in the margins, all ways we express ourselves and live: chores, workouts, and the rare times for extra activities. Gone are the long pauses and time to look ahead. The Christmas season of reflection and celebration gives way to these days.

So why am I thankful, so thankful for you all? Because in the mad dash to live, there comes the beautiful gathering, where we meet, share greetings, worship Jesus, and affirm that all we desire springs from Him. The strength, the purpose, and hope all flows when we gather. It’s crazy that many in the world view giving up time for God a waste of a good Sunday morning. Little do they know what we experience.

I am inspired every time I hear your thoughts and learn of the ways you’ve made space to serve others as your expression of Jesus’ life within yourselves. These last few weeks, I found myself delighting in hearing that strangers were greeted and invited to dine with you, making space in your homes. I heard and saw whole groups drop everything to make meals and visit our dear brothers and sisters in the throes of great sorrow. Some have even given up the comforts of bed and sleep to be present, a light of hope in the middle of some tragic dark moment. I heard of celebrations for decades lived faithfully seeking Jesus. I am inspired with all the extra seeking and praying you do for us, your Church, fueled by the desire to know Him better.

As this weekend approaches, I know a hundred invitations and schedule demands beg for our attention, energy and time. There are sporting events, friend and family gatherings, a wide range of entertainment streaming into our lives. Susan and I attended a community choir presentation a few weeks ago, the diverse community sang of home and love and hope, but not a single note was sung for Jesus or even God for that matter. The evening ended with a beautiful song calling us to care for one another. The audience, the performers, and conductor all felt the beauty of the moment. The choir director shared, “If we live this in our lives, this harmony, this beauty, we can change the world!” I was struck by his idea, but could any human effort truly change lives forever for the good? There is only one human who did this and is now bringing to life our daily hope: Jesus! Peter states the truth of the matter: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV)

I so appreciate the way Jay is leading us through 1 Corinthians, because the greater hope is being pointed to there. What that community choir hoped to bring to their lives is being produced in Jesus within our community every day. And when we gather, the transformation accelerates, and we gain insight and clarity for the life we’re living every day. What a beautiful thing to see you all living out Jesus’ life! I can’t wait to gather again to thank Jesus and see you. He is bringing about the change that’s going to draw a world to Himself.

I’m so thankful for the Gift-giver, and I treasure you, as a precious part of His gift.

It is obvious to most that we have had an incredibly busy season here in Ignite Student Ministries. From October to the New Year we have participated in Pumpkin Slam, Christmas parties, celebrated our leaders, Winterfest, and our students have had one of the busiest seasons they’ve ever had through school, sports, music, and other activities. I need a nap after just thinking about all of it! We’ve just gone through one of the most joy filled, exciting seasons of the year and have been digging into a series about our own identity in Christ all at the same time.

 Now what? What do we do now? After catapulting all of the pumpkins, eating all of the food, giving and opening all of the gifts, sliding on the ice, somersaulting through laser tag, and all of the performances and competitions our students go to, what is there to be excited about now?

 Answer: Jesus

 At the start of the New Year we dived right into our new series through the book of Mark. The book of Mark isn’t just a bunch of random stories about Jesus, but was written to address very specific questions about who Jesus is. Everyone thought the Messiah would be this Savior King with a sword on a horse that would come down and save the Israelites from the Roman Empire. Jesus was the Messiah, but he came in a way that no one expected. He was the Messiah that came and had up close, and personal encounters by loving and serving those around Him. Here’s what we can be excited about during this next season: He is still having up close, and personal encounters with us today.

 Through this next semester for our students we get to really focus in on who Jesus is and how we encounter Him in our everyday lives. In the classroom, at home, when we’re alone, when we’re with others, when we’re happy, when we’re not, He’s there. When we let Jesus get up close, and personal with us it can be uncomfortable, but there is nothing like the joy of being up close, and personal with our Messiah King.

 I don’t know what you may have started for your Bible reading this year, but I would love it if at some point in the next couple months you read through the book of Mark with us and prayed for our students. Through Jesus, this is going to be one of the most exciting times of the year for Ignite!

My Christmas tree is still standing in the corner of my living room, and it is very possible that it will be there when you read this. Our family is not one that decorates for Christmas as soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are done and before the leftovers are gone. Years ago, one of our children asked us to wait until after their birthday before we set up our tree- meaning that I have not had my fill of enjoying the lights and special family ornaments by January 1 or even the weekend after.

Over time I have come to identify the week following New Years, when many of us take a break from extra activities and evening obligations before resuming our “normal” routines, as almost an “at home” spiritual retreat. I have more time set aside to “be” with God. Although I have had years when the post-Christmas week was full of Christmas afterglow and heartfelt peace on Earth and goodwill for mankind, recent years and, this one in particular, has seen a new “normal” settle in. This year, in the midst of praise and rejoicing, I mourned the loss of a very special friend, which was hard. I also asked God to do some examining of my heart, which meant God and I shared some difficult, honest conversations that included some hard-to-hear responses and firm redirection to match my heart with His and put me more in step with Him.

Whenever I took the opportunity to be vulnerable during this season, God demonstrated, again, that He is trustworthy with the topics that I often try to avoid or hide from. Vulnerability is a critical component in any intimate and growing relationship and my “retreat week” has encouraged me to step back into “normal weeks” with renewed awareness that it is important (crucial) for me to fit weekly Bible Study into my schedule. He also reminded me that he has made me passionate about Safe Families for Children, with a purpose that also requires prioritizing, and has stirred anticipation to get away to meet with Him again! He answered my desire to know him deeper, love him more, and be reminded how deeply He loves me.

We often look at the beginning of a new year as opportunity for positive change and new or renewed habits and priorities, despite past efforts and failures. I’d like to invite you to spend some personal time with God asking how He is calling you to have a deeper relationship with Him, not as a list of chores or resolutions based on your successful participation, but rather trusting that He has covered all your failed efforts and failures to make an effort because He loves you deeply!

Also, in the event that this would be helpful to you as well (for you ladies out there), I wanted to let you know it's not too late to join our Tuesday Women’s Bible studies. We will be studying The Amazing Life of Jesus Christ both Tuesday mornings and evenings. And because God has stirred up my passion for Safe Families for Children (SFFC), if I run into you, I’d love to take a few minutes of your time to share how this organization is partnering with DHS to help families in crisis. It’s amazing, and our faith community is going to increasingly be on mission with SFFC in our city. Finally, if you are looking for other ways to grow and serve, you can check out our church website, www.pdxchurch.org, for a comprehensive list of opportunities.

By Jay Gjurgevich -- 

 Imagine you’re at New Year’s Day dinner with your family and you hear, “Okay, we’re going to go around the table and have everyone share your New Year’s Resolution!”
 
What would be your reaction?
 
Maybe you love resolutions and you couldn’t wait until it was your turn to share. “Which one of my ten resolutions will I pick?”, you wonder.
 
But maybe, just maybe, you are one of those people who don’t like resolutions. You think they’re pointless because they never seem to work out because, after all, most people don’t follow through with them, and they just leave us disappointed in the end.
 
If that’s you, I agree. Not because people shouldn’t try to change for the better and not because we can’t change, but because the typical premise of new year’s resolutions just doesn’t work.
 
Let me explain. The way people typically approach resolutions is that they look for a few things in their lives that they want to change, maybe it’s their health or their weight, maybe it’s their financial situation or even an aspect of their spiritual life. Then, they set a goal that they think will take care of that issue. So, if they want to lose weight, they set a plan to work out more or change their diet. If it’s to get out of financial debt, they set a goal to spend less. If it has to do with their spiritual lives, they make a plan to read the Bible or attend more church events.
 
If you’re like most people, all of those well-intentioned plans are long forgotten by the time the calendar changes to February. In fact, studies have shown that 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February.
 
Why does this happen? The simple answer is that real change is incredibly difficult. Sometimes we can work hard to change actions and plans and maybe even change some habits, but many times we will see that even the smallest amount of change is incredibly difficult. On top of that, there is one thing that we can’t change on our own, no matter how hard we try, and it’s the only thing that really counts. We can’t change our nature. We can’t change our hearts on our own.
 
This creates a problem for us since, for all of us, there are things we see in our lives that we want to change—hence, resolutions—but we can’t seem to make real changes last for any amount of real time. So, what should we do?  
 
One of the festivals that God commanded His people in the Old Testament to celebrate was known as the Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23-25). The Feast of Trumpets began with a celebration of the Hebrew new year, called Rosh Hashanah (lit. “head of the year”). A Rosh Hashanah celebration began with 10 consecutive days of repentance (!) which led into the most holy days in the Hebrew calendar and then concluded with the most holy day, Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement.
 
Needless to say, the tone and focus of the Rosh Hashanah celebration was not like our typical modern day New Year celebrations. Of course, in the New Testament Church, we don’t celebrate the Feast of Trumpets in the same way as Israel did, and it is certainly appropriate to celebrate the New Year as a time of reflection and new beginnings. However, is there something that we can learn from the example of how the Hebrews celebrated their new year?
 
I think there is, especially in terms of what our focus should be and what really works in terms of change and transformation in our lives.
 
In a recent article entitled, “5 Things Failed New Year’s Resolutions Teach Us”, Brad Larson reminds us of five truths we learn when it comes to real change in our lives,
 
1.    We’re unable to change ourselves. “Life change comes from heart
       change and heart change comes from God.”
2.    We don’t even know what we want. “We need the Lord to guide our lives
       and desires.”
3.    We have an unhealthy and unrealistic interest in our earthly future.
       “Far better to seek contentment in the present and hope in our eternal
       future. These are guaranteed.”
4.    We’re not content in every circumstance. “Our failed resolutions teach
       us that we’re not happy with how God cares for us.”
5.    We need Jesus. “We need Jesus to transform us into his likeness, and
       resolve alone isn’t enough”.
 
It seems apparent to me that Jesus is much more concerned with our level of dependence on Him than on our level of “self-improvement.” As we celebrate the new year as a holiday that is full of the hope of new beginnings, it’s important to remember from whom our hope for change and newness comes.
 
In light of the hope that we have in Jesus, the more biblical approach to making resolutions might look something like this: repent more, trust Jesus more, give thanks more, love more. And when you fail on these resolutions, just start over and keep going because Jesus’ mercies aren’t just new every year, they are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
 

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It’s hard to believe it is almost 2019! Ever since James and I had children the years seem to fly by. Honestly, I never felt like I was getting older until I had kids, but now there is no denying it! As the new year approaches, it is a great opportunity to get to know our children on a deeper level and better understand how God is working in their lives. As we see God developing the spiritual gifts in our faith community, it amazes me how the Spirit uniquely manifests in each of us for the common good.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”
-- 1 Cor 12:4-6

In Children’s Ministry, I have the privilege of witnessing how God is developing spiritual gifts in the youngest Jesus followers in our faith community! We see kids use their gifts of faith as they trust God to deal with issues they are facing, knowledge as they memorize Scripture and study the Bible, and wisdom as they apply that knowledge to their lives, allowing spiritual truths to impact and define who they are! If you are interested in discovering more about how God has uniquely crafted you to be part of the body of Christ you can follow the link at https://gifts.churchgrowth.org/spiritual-gifts-survey/.

Just a few weeks ago our Ignite Student Ministry students went through their own spiritual gift assessment. When you see them on Sunday, be sure to ask our youth what they learned about themselves and God’s plan for their lives!

This Sunday, Wayne Williams will explore spiritual gifts more as we dive into 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. I pray God blesses your family in the new year as He reveals how your spiritual gifts can be used to impact the community! Happy New Year!!

God Bless,

Sally Bland

"For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.”

 - Hebrews 2:17

 I have known the Christmas story since I was old enough to understand complete sentences. It was a traditional piece of my family’s annual Christmas morning celebration. It came right after the early morning chaos of opening presents and right before we lit the candle on the angel food cake and sang happy birthday to Jesus, while sipping from our mugs of hot chocolate. My wife and I continued the tradition with our sons and I’m confident that some of them continue it with their children to this day.

 Of course, by the time I was old enough to have my own kids, I understood that the meaning of Christmas and the reason we celebrate it is that God became a man. I fully accepted that as factual truth and understood why it is such a central truth of Christianity. As the Scripture above implies, only a human can die for another human. The death of a sheep or a goat or a bull doesn’t count for the forgiveness of a human. And only God, whose life has infinite value, can die for all humans. Therefore Jesus, the God-man, was the only one who could pay the penalty for the sins of the world of humans.

 However, in spite of my doctrinal accuracy and because of my familiarity with the Christmas story, I now realize that for a long time I was inoculated against the wonder of that Christmas truth, God became a man. What a come-down for the Creator! There is no earthly illustration that does it justice. To imagine, for example, that a human being, in all the complexity of our physical and psychological makeup, chose to become a single-cell amoeba in order to rescue all amoebae from certain destruction only gives a hint of what God did at Christmas.

 The wonder doesn’t come by merely reciting the doctrinal truth nor even reading the Christmas story annually. The wonder grows in us as we ponder and savor the implications of “God became man,” implications about the heart of God for us and about our appropriate response to Him. I encourage you to find some quiet moments in the midst of all the Christmas festivities to ponder, savor, and let yourself feel the wonder.

See you Sunday,

 Wayne

We have ALWAYS had an angel on top of our Christmas tree. He/she (I’m not actually sure) presides over each of our Christmas seasons with bright, white-lighted aplomb. She/he is up there because the angels brought the message about the coming Messiah to Mary, and then to Joseph, and finally to the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. It is a glorious symbol of Christmas. Or perhaps it’s on our tree there because we have ALWAYS had an angel atop the tree. It’s tradition, and we all know how hard it is to break traditions during Christmas.

 This year, I came down one morning to find that while the rest of the lights on our Christmas tree shined and twinkled, the angel was startlingly dark. The matter was turned over to my father, who subsequently spent an entire evening haggling with the angel about its tiny little bulbs and infinitesimal fuse. Victory was his, though. The next night I saw that the angel had been returned to its sentry post atop the evergreen. It even seemed to glow that much brighter, as if invigored by its new luminous supplies. In fact, the angel was practically a searchlight now, illuminating not only the top of the tree, but the entire side of the room.

 “Uh, dad. Why is the angel so bright now? I mean, it’s obnoxiously bright now.” (Haters gotta hate.)

 His faintly irritable response was perhaps suggestive of the lengthy wrestling match he already had had with the contraption and my unappreciative response to his hard work. In any case, it was intimated that he was done with the angel, and if we weren’t happy with its current lumen level, we could take up the project ourselves. My mom and I couldn’t leave it alone.

 Tipping precariously on a leather ottoman, my mom (she’s the tallest), gently unplugged and removed the angel from the noble fir (My dad won’t allow any other kind of tree in the house if he can help it. Like I said, traditions.) She plugged it back in at the kitchen counter and nothing happened. No lights came on at all. Again. Upon closer inspection, it appeared that all the bulbs had just burned out. Somehow, it had overloaded its wiring and exhausted its bulbs for a second time as we removed it from the tree. We gave up. Neither of us had the patience my father had the night before to fix him/her.

 So no angel. Or really, no lighted angel. She/he still perches on the tree, and I sit and wonder how much it means to me to either try to fix the angel myself or replace it entirely. If I replaced it, now might be the best time to perhaps buck tradition and go with a star rather than an angel. Gasp!

 It got me thinking, though, what symbol would be most appropriate for atop our Christmas tree? What sign from the story of Christmas draws my attention to the coming Messiah more: the star that drew the magi from the East to worship the newborn King or the angels that acted as couriers and announcers for what God was about to do for his beloved world?

 “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2

 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

 The Christmas season in general is agog with symbols and signs that hold the promise and proclamation of the Christ: Christmas trees, gifts, candles, wreaths, candy canes. The list goes on. My favorite is the Christmas lights. I love all the Christmas lights that brighten our neighborhoods during these dark weeks that surround the winter solstice. If you have ears to hear, they whisper, “Jesus is the light of the world.”

 We are surrounded by these symbols, but let us not allow their saturation to reduce their capacity to point us to the Kingdom of Heaven. Whether it is an angel, a star, or some other symbol atop your tree, let it, and all the other signs of Christmas, direct your heart to ponder what God has done for us in the sending of his son, Emmanuel, God With Us.

 Merry Christmas!

 Caris

 P.S. Want to find out more about what some of our Christmas symbols mean, check out this site: http://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=1491

My mother, Mildred, passed away 12 years ago on December 9, 2002 of a heart attack, and it was a complete shock. We had just returned from the Philippines and stopped over in Hawaii to be with my parents for Thanksgiving. I had never been home for Thanksgiving since I left Hawaii to attend college at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon 38 years ago. So, it was such a delight to be with my mom and dad and the rest of the family. I returned back to Portland and, nine days later, received the news that my mother had died. I received the news at church while attending a leadership community meeting. I remember just wailing in the halls of the church.

Going through grief is a process. Prior to this happening, I remember attending a workshop on how to help people work through their grief, and I saw it as textbook information. The reality of going through the grief of losing my mom suddenly was not textbook. It was painful. My husband, Doug, and our children loved my mom, and we were able to grieve together. Our church family surrounded us with love and many tangible expressions of love through word and deed. Most of all, Jesus held my heart and grieved with me. The verse, “Jesus wept”, became real to me. Jesus is present in every moment of our life. He is especially present in our pain. He truly knows because he experienced pain and suffering himself.

After my mom’s death in December, my younger brother, Sidney, passed away of a heart attack. It was in February, just two months after my mom’s death and my heart ached even more. Words cannot express the loss I felt and, yet, the complete peace and hope that only the Lord can give in these painful times. Jesus is our rock and fortress when life is confusing, overwhelmingly sorrowful, and unstable.

Grief is described like ocean waves, and it truly was for me because they came in little waves and sometimes huge waves that knocked me over. During these times you hold close every relationship you have. You want to look up every verse about heaven and you want to talk about heaven and how your loved one is enjoying Jesus. My mother accepted Christ when she was five years old while she was an orphan in the Salvation Army Home for Girls. Her favorite verse was John 3:16 and she memorized Psalms 91 to get her very own Bible. (I have her Bible now.)

Christmas time can bring both pleasant and heartbreaking memories. Experiencing loss of any kind, beyond death, can look like many things such as divorce or a loss of a friendship, loss of a dream or just loss of not being with your family because they live far away. Remember Jesus will never leave or forsake you. He loves you and He has you in the palm of His hands.

Many times I experience fear and the reassuring verse, which is my life verse is: Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. Surely I will strengthen; surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” We can call on His name for comfort and peace.

Time does heal, but I must admit writing this blog brought tears of sadness but also tears of joy knowing I will see my mom and my brother again. It is important to express our grief with others so they can minister to our broken heart.May I extend my support if you need someone to talk to about the grief you are experiencing no matter what the situation. Our staff and elders are here to shepherd you as you go through difficult times. There are others who are part of Stephen Ministry that can also come alongside you as you work through your loss. Don’t do this alone! We are here for each other.

May the Lord Jesus bless you this Christmas as you celebrate His birth with your family and friends.

Joyce Wachsmuth

This last Thursday, my wife and I found ourselves spending our Thanksgiving in a beautiful home with 12 people who were complete strangers to us six months ago. If you would have asked Kendall and I before we got married how we thought we would be spending our first major holiday together, we wouldn’t have even dreamed of this! As we sat with the Nordlund family and ate, played games, sang Christmas songs, laughed, and made fun of the dog wearing the cone of shame, we never felt like we were away from our family. That’s how we have felt since we first became a part of the faith community here at GPBC.

Kendall and I moved to Portland this past May and have been on a crazy journey ever since we arrived! God made it very clear to us that we were supposed to move out to this really weird city, and other than Kendall’s schooling, we had no idea why. She was accepted to several other schools, and I received job offers from other churches closer to home, but God had something different in mind. We took this huge leap of faith, packed up our stuff, and headed to Portland. While Kendall has been attending George Fox University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, I was working several different jobs from pushing carts at Costco to slinging lattes behind a coffee bar. We were remaining faithful to God for what he had for us out here, but we were longing to be a part of a community. Kendall and I would read through Acts and so desire for a community that loved each other like the First Century Church.

Then we found this church.

From the moment we walked through the front doors, we felt the Spirit moving in an incredible way. Through the interview process for the Student Ministry Pastor position we were able to see more and more of what we were longing for. In Acts we see the Church living this way:

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:42

We’re so excited to be a part of this faith family! We grow together, we take communion together, we pray, sing, laugh, mourn, and truly love one another. We are so thankful to the Nordlund family and everyone else in the church who is showing Christ’s love to us and everyone else who comes through those doors!

I would love it if you just felt encouraged by your community after reading this, but I would love it EVEN MORE if you read this as an invitation to be committed to something bigger. We see in Acts that when the church fell deeply in love with God and dedicated themselves to spreading the Good News of that love, the Spirit truly moved.

During this advent season we want to provide you with several opportunities to grow in your relationship with Jesus and in our relationships with each other! We invite you to join us during the next month as we learn more about what it looks like to love as Jesus, how to be a part of a community that cares for those inside and outside this building, and how to be generous with what God has gifted us with. If you would like to learn more about these things and grow in them, please feel free to click on the Advent Conspiracy link below!

I’m so excited to grow with you all this Holliday season!

Tanner Woolf

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100

This Sunday is Community Sunday, and our theme is Gratitude!! We get to remember and celebrate our Big God together as a whole faith community. We will have a six minute time of community sharing where anyone is invited to express Gratitude out loud for Jesus and who He is for us, with us, and in us.
As a Community Sunday Team, we want to invite everyone to give some intentional thought and prayer, in advance, to expressing gratitude to Jesus. We recently did a simple Prayerful Gratitude Exercise as a team and want to pass it along to all of you to try before Sunday.

Find a space where you can focus on God, and do this on your own or together, like we did!

1. Take a moment to think of as many things as you can for which you are Thankful to God that are in the “GOOD” category. Once you have compiled your mental list, pray out loud your thanks to God for these things. If praying in a group, pray out loud one or two things each.
2. Now, take a moment to thank God for the things in your life that are in the “BAD” category. Once you are done, pray out loud your thanks to God for these things. If praying in a group, pray out loud one or two things each.
If your experience is anything like ours, you will find your heart, mind and soul FULL of GRATITUDE to our Great God!!!

Thank you for taking the time to pray and intentionally prepare your thoughts for what you may share with all of us this Sunday. We know we do not have time to hear from everyone that morning, but our hope is to hear as much Gratitude from as many members of our faith community as we can. Please be intentional and mindful of this in your preparation and come prepared to share in a word or a couple sentences, specific Gratitude from your life with God.

We are grateful to God for all of you, and we look forward to experiencing Gratitude of our amazing God together as a faith community at our next Community Sunday!

Janet for your Community Sunday Team

We are so grateful to be in the Stephen Ministry at Greater Portland Bible Church. One Stephen Minister said, “I enjoy the close bond formed in my Stephen Minister group and now the opportunity to see God working through us as we give care. I thank God that I am growing in his love.” Another person said, “Stephen Ministry has helped me become a more caring person-more open, a better husband. Stephen Ministry has also helped me feel better about myself.” Another person said, “Being a Stephen Minister has been a great step forward in my faith journey. It has given me a way to live the life that God wants me to live…it has been a wonderful experience.”
We love being Stephen Ministers and are inviting others to train to join us in ministry starting this January.

Do you know what it means to be a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one ministry by trained, caring lay ministers who have responded to Christ’s call to “carry each other’s burdens, and you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

What is a Stephen Minister?
A child of God who walks beside a hurting person. A caring Christian friend who really listens to you. A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in how to provide distinctively Christian care.

A Stephen Minister is NOT a counselor or therapist, and not a problem solver, nor a casual visitor.

As mentioned above, there are 50 hours of training, which may include a retreat. Once trained, a Stephen Minister will visit about once a week, for about one hour, with the person who is their Care Receiver. They will also attend two meetings per month for supervision and continuing education.

Will our pastors still help and counsel people?
Answer: Most definitely! Stephen Ministers complement the pastor’s ministry and provide additional care to those who need it.

Who will be the care receivers?
Answer: Members of this congregation who are experiencing times of special need and other people within our community who may turn to us for help.

Will I have to spend money on my Care Receiver?
Answer: No, you are not expected to spend any money on the Care Receiver. You are also not expected to personally provide any other specific services for the Care Receiver, such as transportation or baby-sitting for example.

Will my phone be ringing constantly?
Answer: You will care for only one Care Receiver at a time.

Are other people as scared as I seem to be about this undertaking?
Answer: Probably so! But the training will eliminate much of this fear because you will not only learn what to say but also and more importantly, how to listen.

How will I personally benefit from this experience?
Answer: You will learn many skills that will be valuable in your personal life as well as in your Stephen Ministry.

 God’s faithfulness and love are great blessings for all of us.

If you are thinking of joining us in Stephen Ministry, please let us know. Our leaders have applications and more information for you: Steve and Mary Muir, Mitch Lea, Janet Cabascango and Doug Hyde. Applications are due December 2. Our hearts are open to you. (stephenministry@pdxchurch.org)

There are many references to and about the poor in the bible.  Many of the references are about always having poor in this world. In Luke 11:41 it indicates that being generous to the poor can be an indication of what is happening on the inside of us.

Many of the Shoppers (the community that comes on Saturday) have told me how thankful they are for our Pantry. One of the Shoppers told me he is on a fixed income. He was not unhappy about his income unless something unexpected happened then he wouldn’t have enough money for his expenses. With being able to come to our pantry for food he can use what funds he would have to spend on food for emergencies. He sees the Pantry as a way of meeting his needs. Another Shopper told me that they had a lot of medical expenses but because they were able to come to the pantry they used what funds they would have spent on food to pay off their debt. Another Shopper has become a part of one of the Saturday teams and found friendship, community and sobriety.

The Pantry is a way of reaching out to the community with the love of Jesus. We could use those willing to pray for and with Shoppers for their needs. Someone with the gift of evangelism would also be a welcomed addition to the Pantry.

The Pantry of Greater Portland has existed about 16 years. On an average week we serve about 100 families. This includes the community served on Saturday, volunteer workers on Saturday, and the volunteers during the week. The community served on Saturday averages about 75-80 per week. During an average month about 60 people volunteer in some capacity whether it is picking up donations, sorting food, to distributing food on Saturday.  We pick up food donations from Trader Joe’s in Lake Oswego Wednesday through Saturday, Fred Meyer in Tigard on Friday and Saturday and Winco in Tigard on Friday and Saturday. If you are interested in working in the pantry please speak to one of the team leaders.

The Team Leaders are:

Wednesday-Janice Fry

Thursday-Mary Ellen Adler

Friday- Janice Fry

1^st Saturday-Joyce Wachsmuth

2^nd Saturday-Jenine Wetherald and Philp Foster

3^rd Saturday-Mary Ellen Adler and Kathy Anderson

4^th Saturday-Janice Fry and Jenine Wetherald

Manager of Trader Joe’s drivers-Mary Ellen Adler

Manager of Fred Meyer/Winco drivers-Judy Pinkerton

I have been the director of the pantry for the last 8 years. I can see how Jesus has gifted and equipped me to work in the pantry. I love working in the pantry as it helps me to have an appropriate perspective of life meaning that I need to trust Jesus daily for all aspects needed for the pantry and to see others as Jesus sees them. James 2 tells us to value all people especially the poor. I have seen Jesus answer many prayers and work things out better than I could have imagined it. Many of the workers have confirmed that they also see Jesus working in and through the pantry.

 Janice Fry

Director of The Pantry of Greater Portland

Serving the community on Saturdays at 1:30pm

I know, I know, I know. Every year we complain about how much earlier the stores begin their Christmas push. We all do it. So much so that complaining about it has become one of our holiday traditions. You would think that we wouldn’t be surprised anymore by how soon the Christmas selling season begins. But, my goodness! Costco had their Christmas stuff out over a month ago. (And of course, we bought some of it “just in case it won’t be there next time.”) One store I was in last week was already playing Christmas music. Last week! A full week before Halloween.

 Now, if the early Christmas start was in truth a genuine and sincere celebration of the fact that our Creator God became one of us so that we could know him and know how much he loves us, then I say, let’s start Christmas even earlier. How about all year round?

 But we all know that celebrating the birth of the Divine Savior is an admirable but disingenuous motive, just a veneer pasted on a marketing strategy. The unstated message of this strategy is that because Jesus was born, if we really care about our friends and family, we will buy them many expensive gifts to celebrate his birth. And if we don’t buy them many expensive gifts, then we really don’t love them or care about them. You do see that this message is irrational, don’t you? Gift-giving is a poor substitute for truly loving and truly caring for others. And if gifts are to be given in celebration of the birth of Jesus, they should be given to him, the one who gave himself to us.

 Please understand, I’m in favor of giving each other gifts. It’s a very nice thing to do. But I’ve often thought that if we gave our gifts to each other on New Year’s Day instead of Christmas Day, it would help us keep our Christmas celebration focused on the true reason that we celebrate, that God so loved the world that he gave his son.

 However, I seriously doubt that moving our holiday gift-giving to New Year’s Day is ever going to catch on. So instead, we are providing you with two opportunities to resist the marketing strategy of a commercialized Christmas and stay focused on the One whose coming we celebrate. Operation Christmas Child is an opportunity to give a gift to Jesus by supporting his mission in the world: to draw boys and girls and men and women into a life-giving relationship with himself. Advent Conspiracy is an opportunity to redirect our Christmas energies into worshiping Jesus fully, spending less so as to free up our resources to support things that really matter, giving more intentionally and relationally, and radically loving others like Jesus did.

 If you can get started on these two opportunities as early as the stores begin their Christmas push, it will help make your holidays holy days.

 See you Sunday,

 Wayne

Jay and I planted a church in a small city in Arizona back in 2008. Our team consisted of ten people who had the same passion and calling as us to reach the city of Maricopa. The city was essentially a bedroom community thirty minutes from Phoenix with one way in and one way out. Young families who lived there did not typically have family or friends nearby and were not attending church. After some research, Jay discovered that the families were seeking activity for their kids, and the city needed soccer coaches for recreation teams. So, we began church planting as volunteer soccer coaches, which allowed us to meet other families in the community and city officials. Our first church event was an Easter worship service in our backyard. We invited our neighbors and those we had connected with on our soccer teams. The families that showed up surprised us! They had either never been to church or had a bad experience in the church, but God brought them!

At this point, we did not have a regular service yet and were trying to build relationships in our community. So, Jay started a softball team to meet guys while I talked to their families. They would pray after the games, which was a perfect conversation starter to talk about God. On Halloween, we'd have a bonfire in our driveway, give away free hot dogs and popcorn, and play movies and video games in our driveway. We met so many neighbors by inviting them to stay and hang out.

After getting to know our community a little better, we realized the potential to connect even further, so we started what became a popular event in our neighborhood community center. At this family event, we had carnival games, free hot dogs, prizes, bounce houses and live music from our worship band. We met several families who every time asked us why we would spend money to provide so much to the community and where was our church meeting. Our answer was, "we are serving the people in our community to show Christ's love.” People couldn't believe that we would provide something so valuable with no strings attached. The carnival made such a great impression on the community, that all the neighborhood associations in Maricopa now put on their own carnival for their neighborhoods.

There were many more examples of how God opened doors for us to serve our community, and we saw tangible examples of changed lives. We were grateful and amazed at how God used us to impact a lost community. It wasn't easy. I was working full time, running our children's ministry and pregnant with Brooklyn. Jay was working as our lead pastor and running a business. Kylie was a toddler, and we were constantly hosting people at our house. To say we were busy is an understatement, but we found that families were hungry for fellowship and community and God was at work all around us. We were in constant prayer that God would give us the strength, patience, endurance needed to stay obedient to His calling. At moments, when I'd feel overwhelmed, stressed, and my emotional tank was on empty, a soccer family who was once lost would want to be baptized, or a family from my class at school would show up to our service and want to stay. A family from the neighborhood carnival would suddenly want to start coming to our small group and serve, or a new softball player would want to join the prayer circle. I grew the most when I was serving and leading out of my comfort zone. He stretched me beyond what I thought was my capacity.

In case you haven’t heard, GPBC is hosting a free family event for everyone called, "Family Jam, Pumpkin Slam" on Halloween night, Wednesday, October 31, from 6:00-8:30pm. This will include FREE carnival games, cookie decorating, cotton candy, popcorn, photo booth, bounce house, coffee and hot chocolate and the amazing giant slide! Sound familiar?

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure
but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”
-Francis Chan

What am I “succeeding” at in my life? I once did an exercise where I wrote down what I considered to be my highest values. Then I wrote down everything I was doing in my life including all of the time, energy and resources that went into them. Needless to say, they didn’t exactly line up.

Many things can distract us from what really matters, but maybe nothing so much as our fears. Chan references the fear of failure, but many kinds of fears could be substituted here: Fear of rejection, fear of not measuring up, fear of loss, fear of punishment, fear of not fitting in. We are not talking about the healthy fear response that protects us when we are in real danger, but the fears that we often learn through painful childhood or relationship experiences. Driven by these fears, we pursue “successes” that leave us empty and needing more. We might put everything into being popular at school, “securing” our financial future, or creating an image that will impress people, but real success is a singular pursuit: Jesus.

So what about the fears that would distract and control me? John said it this way:

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them…There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. 1 John 4:16,18a

Jesus wants us to know and rely on his love because trusting his perfect love will drive out our fears. As dearly loved children of God, our identity is in Christ, and his love defines us and the meaning of success.

Real success is never about how great a thing you do, but how you are growing in trusting Jesus and responding to his love. Teresa of Calcutta expressed this new economy of success when she said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” In extending love to others, we actually know God and are living as his children. As John said, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." (John 4:7)

What fears are behind your “successful” pursuits? What small act of Jesus’ great love will you live out today?

Mark

Our children are maturing quickly, much faster than James and I would like! Isaac is counting the days until he can get his learner’s permit, and Violet is learning how to negotiate the emotional craziness of junior high. As our children grow older, James and I realize how sexualized the world has become. Television, movies, music, the internet, and even commercials contain sexual images and messages suggesting that sexual desires should be embraced and explored freely. Pornography is becoming an increasing problem for children (both male and female) with the average age of first exposure being just 11 years old.

Sex is a blessing from God that creates an intimate relationship between husband and wife, but the world’s culture cheapens it. As spiritual leaders in our homes, we have the unique opportunity to help our children develop a healthy, God-honoring view of their sexuality by sharing God’s plan for them.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. --1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Talking with your child about sex can be very uncomfortable for the parent and the child. James and I used the book, “Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality” by Jim Burns to map out a plan of how to approach these difficult topics about sex, creating a safe environment where we can have open and honest discussions with our kids. Our hope is that our children will make godly decisions about sex throughout their lives so they can fully enjoy God’s blessings!

This Sunday Vincent Hollingsworth will focus us on what God says about sexual immorality as we dive into 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. I pray God blesses your family, that He is the center of every aspect of your life, and that you remember who you are, that you were bought at a price by a God who loves you!

God Bless,

Sally Bland

unsung hero | noun 

Someone who does a great job yet receives little or no recognition for that. An unsung hero usually refrains from claiming too much in return for his/her efforts.

We love our heroes, don’t we? The Marvel and DC comic empires have made billions of dollars as we have rallied behind their heroes of all shapes and sizes as they battle evil, both outside and in. These heroes wear capes, have superpowers and get to use the coolest gadgets.

This type of hero is flashy, witty, and very obviously the center of attention.

However, I don’t want to talk about those kinds of heroes today. They have received their recompense in fame and fortune.

I want to talk about Unsung Heroes. These kinds of heroes model my greatest hero, Christ, in several key ways. Unsung heroes are selfless. They are about the mission and are willing to sacrifice much for it. Unsung heroes persevere and stay committed no matter the obstacles. Unsung heroes are humble. They aren’t out to receive attention. They mostly prefer to stay out of the spotlight and direct attention elsewhere. And, finally, the outcome of these heroes’ actions produce transformative results.

Do you know some unsung heroes? I do. I know a whole team of them.

No, they are not the Avengers. But they do have a cool base and some fun gadgets of their own.

My unsung heroes are the members of our tech team. These are the extraordinary people who every week run our lights, sound, and media and coordinate our services to keep the focus firmly on Jesus and His message. You don’t notice them, unless something goes wrong, and they receive little to no regular applause. That’s how most of them like it. In fact, some of them will hate what I’m about to do next…draw attention to them.

Let me introduce you to my unsung heroes:

(Imagine them all with capes!)

ARIA HERRERA, coordinator    |    CRYSTAL LIVINGSTON, coordinator    |    SUSAN MCELROY, lights

MIKE PRATT, lights    |    MATT DOUD, lights    |    TERESA BALLARD, media

JOHN DEHAVEN, media    |    KYE KIRCHER, media    |    TIM STEWART, media

BRENT MCDONELL, sound    |    TOM GERHARTER, sound    |    ISAIAH HOLLINGSWORTH, sound

MARY ELLEN ADLER, sound    |    JESSIE JORGENS, sound

Aren’t they fabulous?!!!!

As we get further into the book of 1 Corinthians in our Engaged! series, we’ll see that the Apostle Paul urges as to search out the unsung heroes in the body and find ways to bestow them great honor.

“On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor.”
1 Corinthians 12:22-23 ESV

These members of our tech team are indispensable. How will you bestow honor on these and other unsung heroes of our church body who quietly serve and sacrificially love this church?

Because these 14 are just the tip of the unsung hero iceberg.

For those of you who know me, football is one of my favorite past times. Was it always something I enjoyed? No, probably because I went to a very small high school in Laupahoehoe, Hawaii, and we did not even have a football team! I didn’t watch one game on TV growing up, and it wasn’t until college, when I went on a date to a football game at Pacific University, that I really knew anything about the game. My date didn’t know what to think of me when I said to him, “What is the point of this game?” He said, “See the white post at the end of the field?” and I said “Yes.” He said, ”Our team in the black and red uniform is trying to get to the end of the field and score!” I said to him, “All I see is that they are constantly falling down!” This is a true story, but one that makes me laugh now!

Fast forward to our boys playing flag football in middle school and regular football in high school. I can remember being so excited for them and yet nervous at the same time, because I wanted them to do well but not get hurt. I wanted their team to win! I am not a silent spectator but one that loves to cheer at the game. Our kids did not go on to play in college, but somehow I got the “bug” for football and found myself watching college football on weekends. I truly love the game!

This past weekend my husband Doug and I went to our first game for the season at Oregon State. On the way, we talked about how much we enjoy the football season. There is something about the coolness in the weather and getting to dress in our orange and black color outfits! We even had some OSU flags on our car, not Doug’s favorite! We talked about how every team plays to win, but, unfortunately, there is a winner and a loser. This game was different in that we knew we were playing pastor Jay’s team, the Arizona Wildcats. We were not favored to win, but we were very hopeful. The band played, the cheerleaders cheered, we cheered, and the players played, but we lost! We can say it is just a game, but I find it hard at times not to be disappointed! But it is fun to engage in the competition of sports even on opposing teams right, Jay?

So, what spiritual insights can I draw from all of this?! Well, first of all, if you are a believer, you are on the winning team. Because in Christ we are all winners and there are no losers! Jesus Christ died on the cross and gave us the victory. Our focus is on Jesus Christ and he is our coach. We have the game book, the Bible, that has all the plays. We need to remember that we are all wearing the same jersey, and we need to be a good team player and cheer and encourage our teammates in their walk with Christ. The banner over our Jesus team is love, so we love each other and appreciate each other for the gifts and talents they bring to the team. Many times in a football game we focus on one or two players that make outstanding plays, but it really takes a whole team to win. In the same way, each of us make up the team that is reaching out to the world, and we need to work together as a team to accomplish this goal for the glory of God.

Come and join us at our home and enjoy a college football game sometime! Go Beavers!

Joyce