Yesterday it was announced that the organization I belong to, Northwest Yearly Meeting, through our Council of Elders has asked West Hills Friends Church to leave our Yearly Meeting, because their affirmation of committed same sex relationships is a diversity of thought that our Yearly …
Read MoreUnbiblical?
Our family of churches, the ones that make up Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends, are gathering this week for worship and business. The tension we’ve been living in for the past couple of years is almost palpable at times, while in other moments we just …
Read MoreGenerous Giving
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on June 28, 2015) One of the gifts we gave you today is that we took the offering BEFORE we started talking about generous giving. You’re welcome! 🙂 My goal is to stay as far away from guilt today …
Read MoreIntentional Thinking Vs. Default Thinking: Alcohol and Marijuana
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on June 14, 2015) This week, in discussing and thinking about alcohol and marijuana, some deeper things were proved to me once again. Honest discussion and even disagreement in the pursuit of truth is a good thing. It also …
Read MoreWhat’s Your Plan?
(Message given May 24, 2015 at Newberg Friends Church) Yesterday I got the oil changed in my car. I like dropping these little glimpses of how exciting my life is. It was overdue. That little sticker in the window was yelling at me for quite …
Read MoreChristmas Goodness
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on December 21, 2014) Who’s ready for some joy? I almost want to ask for a show of hands…things have been so difficult in the world and in our local community lately. Last week, somebody in the balcony said …
Read MoreFinding Our Place
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on December 14, 2014) Can there be comfort in something as difficult as repentance? Oh yes! It seems counter-intuitive in a world where we do about anything to hide our flaws, carefully curating one profile picture out of thousands …
Read MoreSilent Night Champion…
…is Simon & Garfunkel. Whew! A 15 seed! What will Bethany do? There’s no anger to be unleashed! The hopes and dreams of all the years are met. Has the caps lock key spontaneously popped off her keyboard? INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW! Thanks for …
Read MoreSilent Night-Final Round
How we got here, I have no idea. Actually, yes I do. Bylsma. We got here because of Bylsma. It’s Bing vs. Simon & Garfunkel. Cast your vote before Wednesday night at 9 pm PST. [polldaddy poll=8528449]
Read MoreSilent Night Round 3 Voting
Since college, I’ve always been an egalitarian, democratic, “We the people” sort of guy. But I gotta say that this Advent Caroling Madness is turning me all elitist. Frankly, I don’t think the masses are smart enough to be trusted with the vote. We’ve gotten …
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