Aug 25, 2010
Says It, Believes It, Settles It
“The Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it” is a really stupid mantra for a Christian. If the Word of God is verifiable and true, then we should be able to study and investigate those truths in order to ‘see why they are true’, ‘see why we believe them’, ‘have those beliefs strengthened’, and ‘defend and share our faith in those... read more
Aug 24, 2010
Speaking
Being a pastor requires lots of planning, scheduling, studying, writing, talking with people, praying with and for people, envisioning, brainstorming, and budgeting. All of those things are ok, but hands-down the best thing to do as a pastor, in my opinion, is to teach and preach the Word of God and watch IT make an impact on people’s lives. Most people think that speaking at a church service is all... read more
Aug 21, 2010
The Game of Risk (uncontrollable circumstance)
Tonight I learned how to play the board game Risk. I still have a LOT to learn. In the game you strategically ‘make moves’ to take over countries, trying to conquer the entire world. Succeeding in the game is greatly dependent on experience, skill, strategy, risk, patience, determination, and motivation. But a huge factor that success in the game of Risk is based on is a factor made of... read more
Aug 20, 2010
Too Big
This week I spoke with a new friend who has been attending my church for the past 8 or 9 months. He has told me much about the church he came from, and the churches he visited or checked out before settling down and committing to Fellowship Church. One of the churches he visited before making Fellowship Church home is a great church here in Salem. It’s also the largest church in town. He talked about... read more
Aug 18, 2010
Consuming Vision
God has given me passion to see a vision realized. The vision to see people truly connected to an everlasting committed relationship with Jesus Christ through the radical actions of grace, love, and hope of a local church empowered by the Holy Spirit often consumes me. To see a move of God in my city where thousands come to know Jesus yearly, as is happening in other U.S. cities, drives my every move. I... read more
In Kindergarten I was officially voted 'Most Inquisitive'.
I have been asking questions ever since as I believe that they are the catalyst to discovering the world all around us.
The answers to these questions have led me into an everlasting committed relationship with Jesus Christ, into a marriage with the love of my life, and into being the father of the two most beautiful children on earth.
It is my personal mission to glorify God with my life, advance His Kingdom through my ministry, and to love my family with everything I have.
I am the Pastor at Fellowship Church in Salem, Oregon and these are my thoughts on life.