A Pastor in The Northwest

Six days ago was the 18th anniversary of the official launch of Dallas Church. Looking back to that day at Whitworth Elementary's gymnasium, I wasn't sure what God was going to do with a new church in this city. Our launch team knew we wanted to be a church where questions were ok and a family where people who were far from the Lord would want to take new steps toward Him. We wanted everyone to discover God's dream - a dream of heaven meets earth walking with the Lord! I pray that God will continue to shape us into the church He called to order back on October 21st, 2007. To inspire us, here's something I found amazing, challenging, AND encouraging! Enjoy this glimpse of the early church! Pastor Ben The ancient Letter to Diognetus records these observations about the early church: “ The Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor by language, nor by the customs that they observe; for they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a pecul...

The Psalms are full of this phrase. What does it mean? Are we to stop all activity, sit down, and passively do absolutely nothing? Or, is there something else here for us? Let us think on this for a bit...if someone asks you to wait up, you know what that means right? You've gone ahead and they are trying to catch up with you. Other times we might think of someone running late to a party or dinner and they ask for you to wait until they arrive. I'm not sure either of these really capture the meaning. To help us, let's hear some of the ways the Psalms use this phrase: Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. -Psalm 5:3 NLT Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. -Psalm 27:14 NLT Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. -Psalm 37:7 NLT For I am waiting fo...

Sometimes I don't know what to pray. There are days when I don't have words. Other times, I find that my heart and mind are distracted. Some days I'm just down and not feeling it. How about you? When it comes to prayer, we have some encouragement from God's people throughout history. The entire collection of Psalms can be helpful for us here too! Here are a few prayers I've put to memory so I can pray when I'm out of words - maybe these can help you as well! The Jesus Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me. Our Father Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever, Amen.] Glory Be Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And one mo...

I came across this prayer the other day, and I thought it was good to share: "Holy Spirit, grant me the humility to accept the doors you have closed to me, the courage to walk through the doors you open, and the wisdom to know the difference!" Yes Lord! Photo by Jacob Culp on Unsplash

This past Sunday morning, many of us heard the news of the violence against a congregation in Michigan. My heart was sad to hear of a senseless and cruel murder once again. Ugh. So, as we talked about a few weekends ago, how do we handle the seemingly neverendig stream of news and tragedy? We landed on this phrase in that sermon: Unplug (turn it off), decompress (walk, workout, eat a good meal with friends, etc.) and renew your strength in the Lord (hit your knees and wait on the Lord regularly!), AND… Do for one what you wish you could do for many! Today, let us not grow weary in doing good and caring for those around us. May we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit today and every day. "Let us not become  weary   in   doing   good , for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." -Galatians 6:9 Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

I've been reading a book which documents various daily rituals of creative people - musicians, writers, artists and even some scientists.  Why?  Well, it is like a sneak peak into the private lives of those who we've admired over the years for the work they produced.  As I read through the various daily rituals of these prominent creatives, I was struck by when they tended to get out of bed, how late they stayed up, what 'vices' they entertained and, of course, when they did their best work.  Turns out, the morning hours are the most talked about productive 'creative' time.  Also, naps are a thing that seems quite consistent! There were also a few oddities, like F. Scott Fitzgerald drinking gin because he didn't think it could be detected by smell and Hemingway's tendency to write standing up at a chest-high bookshelf that his typewriter sat on.   One takeaway of many for me is that these creatives figured out where and when their best work happened, a...

There is an old hymn that I often return to in my prayers which is titled "And Can it Be" by Charles Wesley (music by Thomas Campbell) from the early 1700's. Here are some of the familiar words from this hymn: And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's blood? Died he for me who caused his pain? For me, who him to death pursued? Amazing love! how can it be that thou my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! how can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me! How can it be indeed. Today let us all just reflect on Messiah Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross for us! Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you fi...