Less Fear, More Confidence

Revelation 1:14-18 says, "His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.  And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.  But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, 'Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.  I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.  Amen.  And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.'"

John sees Jesus in Heaven and describes Him to us!  "Water" in Revelation seems to symbolize large people groups.  Jesus' voice of "many waters" suggests He speaks to all people.  His eyes of fire and His appearance like the sun confirm Deuteronomy 4:24 and Hebrews 12:29 (our God is a consuming fire).  His Word is as piercing as a sharp sword.

Jesus has all power over Heaven and earth but says, "Do not be afraid."  We can trust that He has conquered death and is alive forevermore.  We can believe we have nothing to fear about death because of Him.  Life in Jesus is a life in which fear ever diminishes and confidence ever increases.  He is our all in all.  Let's tell all!

 - Pastor Michael

Who’s Driving

The date and time were set, the destination chosen, and the car was packed; we were ready to hit the road. But one question remained: Who’s driving?

I quickly volunteered. After all, let’s be honest: some of our friends are great passengers, but terrible drivers!

Isn’t that true in life, too? There are many things that make great passengers but we do not want them in the driver’s seat. Emotions like passion, anger, anxiety, and fear can all serve a purpose. They can ride along and even be helpful in the right context. But when they’re steering, the journey gets bumpy and often dangerous.

Our own desires are the same way. They can be good passengers, but if they’re driving, we may end up somewhere we never intended. Today’s desires can become tomorrow’s painful habits.

So who should be driving? Who should be leading our lives?

Paul gives us the answer:

“So I say, walk by the Spirit…” (Galatians 5:16)

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” (Romans 8:14)

As Christians, we’re not meant to drive solo or hand the keys to our emotions or impulses. We are called to give the wheel to the Holy Spirit and let God lead.

So… who’s driving your life today?

 - Pastor Evan

One Day

“We are going for the summit” a hiker might claim if you asked them what their goal was for that day on the trail. But if you knew what trail it was, you would know that there was more to it. Because no one climbs Dog Mountain in May or June just to say that they survived the steep trail to the top and can now tick the summit off their list. Most people stop right below the summit, completely awed by what they see.  The wildflowers. Fields of shimmering flowers, cascading over rock cliffs, and drenching the hillside with vivid color and vibrant, stunning beauty.

“We are going for the summit” a hiker might claim if you asked them what their goal was for that day on the trail. But if you knew what trail it was, you would know that there was more to it. Because no one climbs Dog Mountain in May or June just to say that they survived the steep trail to the top and can now tick the summit off their list. Most people stop right below the summit, completely awed by what they see.  The wildflowers. Fields of shimmering flowers, cascading over rock cliffs, and drenching the hillside with vivid color and vibrant, stunning beauty.

Then, all at once, the trail breaks out of the trees and is surrounded by fields of golden wildflowers. The fertile Columbia Gorge stretches generously in the sunlight and provides a stunning backdrop to the bright wildflowers nodding in the breeze. Shouts of delight and laughter fill the air as people bend close to admire the delicate features of the flowers, just to stand back up and take in the immensity of the whole scene. The pain and the struggle of the climb fades in the beauty of it all.

If you were to ask most of us on any given day, what our goal was, we’d probably say we’re just trying to survive. We are on the steep trail in the dark forest. But deep down there is something more. Our hope is that someday all the pain and struggle of the steep path of life will fade with the wild beauty and freedom of heaven. While the dark trail may threaten to take that hope, God sets reminders by the path that hint of the glory that is to come. Jesus said,

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:2-3 (NIV)

And I will echo what Logan said this past sabbath, “I can’t wait to see you all there with me!”

- Pastor Kristen

Not me, I don’t like snakes!

Certainly that was how I felt when recently I watched a program with magician and risk taker, David Blaine.  In this particular episode he met with a King Cobra snake charmer in Asia.  This charmer was so familiar with handling King Cobra’s that he would mesmerize the snake and then slowly lean over and kiss the snake on top of the head.  And of course, David Blaine wanted to learn how to do the same thing.   So, he spent time watching, asking questions, and practicing everything he was taught until he finally was successful.  Did he have fear?  Of course, but he trusted his life with the trainer who had the knowledge and experience until he too could take the risk with confidence. 

So, what did I learn?    Well certainly it didn’t change my feelings toward snakes.  And kissing one that can kill me isn’t on my bucket list.   What I found fascinating was that David Blaine didn’t have the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve his goal, so he sought out the one who did, and placed his trust in him.  It hit home.  How much do I trust God with my life and all that I’m confronted with?  God doesn’t need more snake handlers, but He does want us to trust Him so He can teach us how to live for Him with confidence. 

The show reminded me of a familiar Bible passage, Proverbs 3:5-6.  It reads like this,  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (NKJV).  The more I understand that God is trustworthy, the more I place my faith in Him and His word.  And the more I trust Him, the more I can move forward in faith to do the things I can’t do without Him. 

What about you?  What is God impressing you to do for Him that you’re not sure of?  Trust Him.  Where is He leading that you struggle to follow?  Let Him direct your paths. In doing so, He will give you His wisdom, His confidence, and His peace.

- Pastor Jim Bollin

Invaluable Faith

Hebrews 4:14-16 says, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

How strong is the safe that secures our greatest treasurers?  There is nothing more valuable than the faith we have in Jesus Christ.  He is seated on the throne in Heaven and opens the door daily for us to come before Him with all confidence.  We can be confident  of His grace.  We can know He is surely there to help.  We can rest assured He knows what our weakness is.  We can trust He has defeated all our troubles.

Believing these things is invaluable to all believers.  God loves us.  He is there for us.  He will help us.  He invites us into His presence always.  Thank You, Lord!  Now send us out so others can always feel confident in our presence, knowing we have grace for them also and a desire to help them too.

 - Pastor Michael Brackett

Spiritual Troughs (Buckets)

This week Avery spoke about filling our spiritual buckets. And you know a place that has its buckets full? Coastal! They have not just buckets, but troughs full of chicks and ducklings.

This week I was walking through Coastal and I heard the familiar peep-peeping coming from one end of the store. The sound pulled me closer until I found myself peering over the lip of one of those metal troughs. Inside I saw brown ducklings, all peeping and waddling around.

I was tempted to hurry on to the next place I was headed. Instead I paused and squatted down next to the trough to get a closer look. As I watched the ducklings, one looked up at me and I could see its tiny eye and little feathers.

And I was reminded of Jesus saying “A sparrow is so small, it isn’t worth much, yet God cares so much that he knows when each one falls. You are worth much more than a sparrow, so don’t ever wonder if God cares about you.” (Matthew 10:28-31).

My spiritual bucket was filled when I stopped my hurry for a second and considered the little things that bring so much joy. What little things are you passing up that could fill your bucket?

 - Pastor Kristen

Struggle and a Screwdriver

The grill of my car pressed itself into my leg as I leaned over the open engine bay and strained to keep from completely flopping on the engine. With one arm wrapped around a pipe coming from the air filter I struggled against the plastic clip imbedded in the metal frame of my car that held the wires I was replacing. My legs ached from the holding the odd angle. My dad stood to the side watching and I wished he would step in so I wouldn’t have to struggle anymore.

But he didn’t. “You got this.” he said.

“It won’t come out.” I told him.

“Try prying with this screwdriver,” he said, handing one to me.

The screwdriver helped, and after a few more pries and angle tries, the obstinate plastic broke off. Suddenly the frustrated feeling melted away as I was filled with pride that I had done it on my own.

Could my dad have easily taken over? Yes. But he let me struggle.

My dad is always preparing me for life. He lets me struggle sometimes, but always stays close by to encourage me and offer wisdom. When he teaches me how to do things like fix my car, he becomes part of me. And I become more like him. If I ever come across that problem and he’s not physically there, he still exists in the knowledge that is now apart of me.

There are things that God lets us struggle on too. (For example, forgiveness.) While we may feel abandoned by God, he’s always nearby to offer encouragement and wisdom. In the process of struggling he becomes apart of us and we became like him. And the result is that he is there wherever we go.

So lean into the struggle, whatever yours is, as the refining process of becoming more like God and know that he is standing right next to you.

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

 - Pastor Kristen