Learning
Growth
Unity
Into The Wilderness
Jan Richardson is an author, artist and ordained pastor. I have come across her stuff from time to time, and, like all writers, some of it I resonate with and others not so much. Recently, I saw a snippet of her stuff, this time a poem. It hit me in the gut with truth. Give it a try.
Lent and Me
A very long time ago, Lent was known as the time that separated Winter from Summer until the reliable English folks found a respectable name for the season and labeled it “Spring.” Lent, as I know it, is the observation that has been practiced in various forms for hundreds of years by all kinds of Jesus followers. The Lent season lasts for 40 days, excluding Sundays, and marches the participant toward Resurrection Sunday.
Let Justice Roll Down
Justice has become a ruined word to many conservative Bible believing Christians. Preachers who speak on justice are often considered "woke" and risk termination.
But justice is a robust biblical word. Take Amos 5:24 in the ESV as an example…
Let’s Think About Communion
Communion is an interesting ordinance left to us by Jesus. It mimics a bit of the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room the night before his betrayal, punishment and crucifixion. Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, gives the most detail in the bible of this ordinance. He was writing to a messed up church who were mucking up most every part of church life. They had multiple problems and communion was one of them.
Mind Your Trace
My inner critic, never at a loss for words, says “leave the place better than you found it.” Where she gets her information, and when she chooses to spring it on me is a mystery, but I listen up because sometimes she is simply right.
Coke Machine or Slot Machine?
Post 3 in my series Metaphors That Matter: Insights into Life’s Challenges
The psychology behind a Coke machine is exactly the reverse of a slot machine. Should this matter to you? Yes, if you have to discipline or reward someone (I’m thinking especially of you, parents).
On Change
As of late, we have seen some changes around our church building. For those outside the area, Foundry church was the original church in Bend and when given options for a location, purposely chose to plant a Jesus flag at the "bottom of Bond" where one could find most of the bars, brothels and dance halls that entertained loggers and mill workers.
When You Discover Your Toilet in Your Bathtub
We couldn’t find our toilet. We noticed it had been removed, but it wasn’t in the garage. And then later I walked further into the bathroom and there, partially hidden behind the shower curtain, stood our toilet. In our bathtub.
Tales from the Basement
Some of you know intimately the joy of teaching children’s church, known quaintly as “Kidztown”. Yet many of you can only imagine what happens downstairs during the weekly sermon by the rumblings heard from below. Are the children learning to line dance? Are they acting out Matthew 8:32?
The Magpie and the Mole, Part 2
Post 2 in my series Metaphors That Matter: Insights into Life’s Challenges
This week we’ll look at the Mole’s challenges and some of the bumps in the road to making a difficult marriage flourish.
When Life Happens
Over the past weeks we have ridden the a big-boy rollercoaster of events for at least a few laps.
First, I danced with COVID in January...not fun at all. Then, at the end of January, Claudia, my sister and a good friend couple left for a 3X pandemic-delayed cruise in the Caribbean. What fine time in a warm place with good people on a smaller ship being treated special.
Stories to Tell, Not Stuff to Show
I believe the Father graces us with material possessions so we can look around and see who could use our love and encouragement and excess of resources.
Preaching the Gospel in Flyover Country
Much of my ministry since Robin and I have moved to central Oregon has been preaching in the little churches in the small towns outside of Bend. Cultural elites would call it "flyover country" because they believe nothing much is happening in the country between New York and LA as they fly between coasts.
The Magpie and the Mole, Part 1
Post 1 in my series Metaphors That Matter: Insights into Life’s Challenges
It’s a truism, dating back at least to the 1800s, that opposites attract. It’s certainly true with magnets, but is it true with people?
Gems of the Ochocos
John may have smelled like smoke when he boarded the plane to Central Oregon in November 2016. He agreed to fly up from Colorado to consult on a potential camp purchase by a gentleman he had worked for when he was a young man. John was just the guy for the job.
Clay Pots
Clay pots, or pottery jars. They are not used much anymore. We used to see them when we lived in Mexico. As a school boy, standing on a corner on cold mornings I would buy a cup of hot chocolate from a street vendor who kept steaming hot chocolate in a clay pot.
Stay Dead
There is one question I have seen all over the Internet and heard in discussions recently. People are contemplating, “What does love require?” So profound in its simplicity. So intimidating in its reach.
Is Self-Care Selfish?
I’ve written before about the importance of self-care and how self-care gets a bad rap, especially among Christians, because it sounds self-serving and self-ish. And because it tends to be peddled as “me first” care.
A Not-So-Subtle Reminder
It was a good solid thought and, as far as sermons go, a
fun one to give. Then Monday happened.
Finding My Father
On the morning of November 2, 1956, my father, Clifford James Coughlin, died suddenly of an MI (myocardial infarction) while lying in bed with my mom. He was only 43 years old.