(This is the announcement I gave in our worship services at Newberg Friends on August 2, 2015) We felt the need today to take some time in our worship service to talk and pray about a situation that is likely on many of your minds. …
Read MoreYou have value. You are loved.
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 MoreLent: Choosing Sacrifice
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on March 1, 2015) Mark 8:31-38. I’ve often thought of Peter rebuking Jesus as a great reminder that everyone makes mistakes. Peter has just had such a high point, being the one person who correctly identifies Jesus as the …
Read MoreLent: Facing Sin
(Message given February 22, 2015 at Newberg Friends Church) Psalm 25: 1-11 I love the fact that I’ve lived 23 out of the last 29 years in Newberg. There’s something beautiful about getting to be a part of a smaller community for that long, to …
Read MoreChrist’s Life
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on February 15, 2015) Last Sunday after the service, I had a great and very honest conversation with someone. Talking with him cemented something in my own mind, and that’s what I want to share with you today, my …
Read MorePut Them Into Practice
(Message given at Newberg Friends Church on February 8, 2015) ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds …
Read More