(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on February 7, 2016) Farming metaphors are so wonderful for the spiritual life! This is a bit of a problem for me, because…I’m not a farmer. I’m not a gardener even. I don’t naturally speak “farm”. But I think …
Read MoreFlee, Embrace, or Sift? Taking Back Agency as a Christian in Pop Culture
(Given at George Fox University on January 25, 2016, as part of the LACI lectures) Thanks for the chance to speak here tonight! Here’s what I hope to do tonight. I want to explore these ideas about pop culture: Flee, Embrace, or Sift? Taking Back Agency …
Read MoreGod’s Crown of Splendor for the Broken
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on January 17, 2016) I was an extremely picky eater when I was a kid. I did not like things that were different. I can still hear my dad’s voice in my head as he would order for me …
Read MorePower for Justice
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on January 10, 2016) If you would, take out the sheet that you received when you came in. There’s a question and some space to respond: What is the gospel, the good news? What is it that Jesus brings …
Read MoreKing Jesus in a Democracy
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on January 3, 2016) Just a couple of years ago I learned for the first time that the 12 days of Christmas aren’t the ones leading up to Christmas. Instead, day one is Christmas day, and the verses of …
Read MoreAnd the winner is…
…#2 Tasha Cobbs, for the best rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful”. Thank you all for joining on this Advent journey. I’m grateful for all of you and the fun and fighting we have with this. May you have a wonderful Christmas!
Read MoreSing for Joy!
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on December 20, 2015) You know how hard it is to find a particular scene in a movie you’ve seen before, when you have tricky fast forward and rewind? You know what I’m talking about…when the first fast forward …
Read MoreO Come All Ye Faithful-Final Round
Davida Ankeny Brown’s nomination of #4 Luther Vandross proved able to upset #1 seeded BYU, and moves into a finals matchup with #2 Tasha Cobbs. Make your final vote in Advent Caroling Madness 2015 before noon PST on Christmas Eve! [polldaddy poll=9244964] #2 Tasha Cobbs …
Read MoreO Come All Ye Faithful-Third Round
As they say in March Madness…the chalk all advanced. But it was a close battle. Luther and Tasha each won by one vote. Winnow it down to two by Tuesday at 8 pm PST. [polldaddy poll=9242930] #1 BYU #4 Luther Vandross [polldaddy poll=9242931] #2 …
Read MoreO Come All Ye Faithful-Second Round
The storyline from round 1 is that even without Elizabeth Curtis Gemeroy on Facebook, Amy Grant pulls the upset and advances. In fact, she received more votes than anyone else. The other upset brought grief to Bethany Bylsma, as Carly Simon defeated Mariah Carey. Please …
Read More