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Pastor Nate's book Recommendations for the New Year--available in the church bookstore....
When Saul of Tarsus persecuted the church in the 1st century, he encountered an unexpected adversary. As he traveled to Damascus to persecute those belonging to the Way, he was confronted by the risen Lord Jesus....
As a child, I didn’t mind a little turbulence when flying. I thought it was fun. But as an adult, not so much. When I’m on a flight that starts getting bumpy, I immediately tighten my seatbelt and grip the armrests. Don’t we tend to do this when things get shaky? Have you ever been in an earthquake, the passenger in a car going too fast, or on a boat rocking back and forth? What do we do in these situations? We look for something to hold on to that will steady us....
Prussian military commander Helmuth von Moltke, who lived from 1800 to 1891, wrote, “No plan of operations reaches with any certainty beyond the first encounter with the enemy's main force.” Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson said something similar when he quipped, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Both men pointed out that no matter how great a plan one has for a battle, whether in war or a boxing ring, adversity will come and force you to navigate unexpected circumstances. Helmuth von Moltke said it more eloquently, Mike Tyson said it more memorably....
I remember the sense of freedom I experienced when I finally got my driver’s license at the age of 17. On my first day of driving on my own, I went to Alki Beach with my friends as we enjoyed the sun, sand, and waves. It was glorious!...
I remember the days when my wife and I sincerely believed we were patient people. We believed this all the way until we had children. The Lord then graciously disabused us of a high view of our patience. Our impatience was exposed! Our failures often serve to remind us of our need for the gospel as well as our need for the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives......
Often when we think of worship, we think of singing and music. Though singing is a method of worship, it is not synonymous with worship. Worship essentially is assigning value to something. We give our attention and affection to that which is most valuable to us. When we begin to invest much of our time and our resources into something other than God, we are in danger of elevating it to an unhealthy level, which scripture labels as idolatry. Read more......
Pastor Mike Bullmore tells the tale of a man who traveled to the Louvre in Paris to see famous pieces of art firsthand. As he stood in front of the Mona Lisa, which is always under guard, he played the part of an art critic. He took his time looking at the piece from several different angles before declaring, “I don’t like it”, to which the guard replied, “sir, these paintings are no longer being judged, the viewers are.”...
“One of the greatest influences in my life, particularly in my Christian growth, has been a faithful catechism, because it provided me with categories for understanding the nature of God and His Word. A catechism is not a form of empty recitation, but is a ...
It feels like we are living in the middle of the book of Judges. If you feel desparing, or downright scared, about our current cultural climate, you would do well skim through the book of Judges. The book of Judges is one of the most disturbing narratives in Scripture, recording of some of most disturbing people who ever lived, who do some of the most disturbing things imaginable (This is probably why most churches avoid it). The world of judges is described repeatedly as one in which, “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” This is not only true for the enemies surrounding God’s people; it is true for God’s people themselves. ...
"The only hope you have is to accept the fact that you are already dead. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you will be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function. All war depends upon it."...
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Everyone has an opinion about how to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. Conspiracy theories abound regarding the motives of decision-makers but, apart from those who believe the earth is flat, I am convinced that the "powers that be" are doing their best to do what they believe is best. Every decision-maker has a definition of best, and everyone impacted by their decisions ...
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The trauma of COVID-19 has become part of our story. The chapter is not yet completed, so time will tell what the "theme" of this chapter is and what role it plays in our overall story. It is a strange chapter so far, full of both extended passages of tremendous evil as well as beautiful narratives of goodness. One theme that seems to be coming through has something ...
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In a world where we are told what is "essential", Jesus reminds us of the one truly essential thing....
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The Resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in the history of the world. Even though the tomb is still empty, Christians often live as if Jesus is still dead and buried. Some Christians find themselves stuck on a perpetual Friday, enslaved to their guilt and shame. Other find their way to Saturday, hoping what Jesus said is true, but living as if they don't reall...
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Why do we exist? The pursuit of an answer to this universal WHY question reveals our deep need for meaning in life. We wrongly, but naturally, attempt to find our ultimate purpose in what we do as individuals and as the church. In truth, what we do is a product of who we are. We are saved by Jesus and sent by Jesus....
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The best way to teach your family to pray, is to model it. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for themselves. His lesson is recorded in Matthew 6.9-13. I challenge you to commit to praying for 21 days the following, after Jesus instruction:...
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The Scripture tells us that if draw near to God, he promises draws near to us. And he does, especially in these extended quiet times. But even when that happens, many discover that even with God there remains, at times a emptiness...a distance...a loneliness. It seems we may need something more than God. I realize that to suggest that we need something more than God m...
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Thank you for your faithfulness during this unique moment in our region’s history. Many will be tempted to ask: “What is the church doing to help the community?". As a reminder, the church is not a building or a program, it is a people that gathers AND scatters. In other words, the church is YOU! As the people of God, we have a confidence that Jesus is King over Sa...
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