Rachel Held Evans recently wrote a blog for CNN on why millennials are leaving the church. After reading her thoughts, I decided to dedicate a large portion of my radio show to the assumption that people are leaving the Church because it’s not Christian enough. As a radio host and pastor, I have a unique […]
Tag Archives | Live from Seattle
Answering my Vibrating Pants
I clearly remember the first time I felt my cell phone vibrate. I was alone, driving a low budget rental car on a surprisingly empty southern California freeway. It was dark and I was somewhat lost. I preface my lostness with “somewhat” to placate my masculine sensitivities. However, totally lost may be a more objective […]
Spring Seems to Have Sprung.
Spring seems to have sprung. The flowering plum trees have given up on dormancy to once again burst on the scene, drawing pink poetic contrast to tornadoesque skies. Even so, this year the plum blossoms appear particularly susceptible to the whims of prevailing winds. A rain and wind, one-two punch, could quickly change that canvas. […]
Bury Me Upside Down, Coffin Lid Open
The Dust of Eden It’s all a bit odd. Dirt covers the earth and pavement covers the dirt. People travel the pavement in cars. They sit in their cars, on their phones, talking to someone else, somewhere else. Eden is buried, it’s beneath us. Dirt covers the earth and buildings cover the dirt. In the […]
Reasons not to believe in God
Reasons people don’t believe in God. . . God is immoral. Why would God allow for such pain and suffering? If God is good, why does he allow bad things to happen? I cannot follow a God who would allow bad things to happen. Shame on you God! Shame on your morality. God is indifferent. […]
I Hate the Devil and Monopoly!
I hate Monopoly! I grew up in a home that did not condone excessive use of the word “hate”. Whenever I whined the word “hate” to show my displeasure, my mother would remind me that “Hate is a very strong word that is best used to describe such things as the devil.” With this in […]
Eugene H. Peterson’s New Message
I found this excerpt in the Read the Spirit blog. I can’t wait to read Eugene H. Peterson’s new book on the vocation of pastor. I love what he says in this passage! EXCERPT OF “THE PASTOR: A MEMOIR” NEW FROM EUGENE H. PETERSON North American culture does not offer congenial conditions in which to […]
A Look Back and Forward at Faith
I wrote this three years ago at the beginning of March. I’m reminded of all the amazing things God has done in that time! I have literally had hundred of doors open and the opportunity to speak to thousands of people, based on the faith steps included in this short letter to my church. I […]
The Answer to Struggle is Struggle
I’ve lost 22 pounds since the first of January. Since I have a habit of finding the weight I’ve lost, I’m going to celebrate this achievement while the scale is still cooperating with my efforts. About 7 years ago I weighed 277 pounds. After a prolonged stretch of low-carbing and Taco Bell avoidance, I got […]
True Visionary Leadership Flows from God
There have been many words written about vision. From vision casting, to vision statements, to visionaries, the world is full of vision. On many different occasions I’ve been asked to describe my vision or the vision for Evergreen Foursquare Church. My first response is usually an issue of clarification. “What do you mean by vision?” […]