Gratitude Advantage
What if you only had tomorrow what you thanked God for today? No one would actually want to live in such a universe (what if no one thanks God for me today!), but the question makes us stop and think. Michael Hyatt is one of my favorite bloggers on leadership...
A Challenge for Connection
“There are things you do because they feel right & they may make no sense & they may make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each other's cooking & say it was good.” The purpose of church? The purpose of...
Confirmation Day 2015 Biographies
Congratulations Class of 2015! Isaac Mark Dow was born January 24, 2001 in Dubuque, IA. He was baptized February 14, 2001. He is a freshman at Marist High School. Isaac likes football, basketball, acting, and photography. His mentor is Stephen Welch. His Bible verse...
Stewardship Coaching
As many of you know, I made a quick trip to Chicago this past month for an event titled: Stewardship Coaching. I spent September 10-12 at the Lutheran Center in Chicago learning what it means to be a Stewardship Coach. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or...
A Facebook Memory that Still Holds True
Five years ago, I wrote the following article for the monthly newsletter at Faith Lutheran Church where I was serving. A couple of weeks ago, I preached a sermon where I asked people to share their fears. When this article popped up as a Facebook Memory, I decided to...
God in the Golden Years
One more Bible study? Why? Well, many of us here have done it all. We live in the land of promise and realized the American dream. We have had our businesses, farms, professions, child rearing, home making but now we are done with them. In our Golden years, we have...
Experience What Jesus Offers
As a pastor, so often I try and gauge my own success or failure at my job by how many people show up. If people like me, they’ll attend the bible study. If people don’t like me, they’ll go to a movie instead. If people think I’m a great preacher, worship will be...
Every Sunday is a First Impression
The fall season usually arrives with great energy and expectations, and many new guests in worship. It can be difficult for many of us to remember: every Sunday is a first impression...for someone. Here are ten thoughts and triggers for welcoming guests to Bethesda....
Take a Moment…
~Take a moment. Take a deep breath and listen for God. Because maybe God is calling you to do something. It might be something Bethesda needs—like volunteering two hours of your week to nurture the faith of our young ones at WaterWorks or Confirmation. ~Take a moment....
Our Response Must Be Love
A few months ago, in response to the movie “Selma”, my initial reflection was that we have not come far enough; that the racism that was remembered in the movie is still alive today. Often not as blatant but still alive. There was no way to know how true those words...
God Holds Us Close
“Before I can remember the covenant was sealed with Father, Son and Spirit, in water was revealed. The cleansing was for certain, with water and the Word; gentle words were spoken, in heaven they were heard.”—ELW 457 v.1 The month of May ended with two baptisms; one...
Intentional Living
By: Judy L. Jernberg The May issue of The Lutheran features an article called “The Socially Responsible Thing.” Because many of you don’t subscribe to our national magazine, I’ll comment here. Oregonians are pretty good about recycling and using reusable bags....