Posts from 2020 (Page 2)

A few weeks ago, we looked Philippians 3:1-11 in bible study. One person said “This text challenges me.” It’s challenging because Paul had such a deep trust in Jesus that he could say “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord.” He counted earthly things (like his lineage and education) as rubbish, and counted knowing Christ as worthy. Can we say that with the same passion or confidence? Not me! I confess…

Your PBCC family will miss you Bill.

“Today is another Spare the Air day.” If it seems like we’ve been hearing those words a lot lately, well, it’s because we have. Due to the smoke from the fires surrounding the Bay Area, today is the 15th consecutive Spare the Air day, breaking the record for the longest stretch of days with hazardous air, which was set only a couple years ago when the smoke from the fire that destroyed the town of Paradise filled our skies. Even…

Today I have the honor of posting a poem written by a beautiful woman in our body. In the poem, she shares a part of her heart and journey. As you read, may the Lord speak to you of His faithfulness, grace and strength. Hannah is My Name My Faithful God Will Never Let Me Go August 14, 2020 Anonymous Hannah is my name Grace favored From the one who saves Comes incredible gift You have pulled me out From…

As I’ve been reading through Romans this summer (in preparation for our men’s bible studies this Fall), one of the things that has struck me is Paul’s commitment to having one united church in Rome. Now, of course, physically, the church in Rome would have been made up of various house churches but, spiritually, they are one. So that one could just as easily go to any of these house churches and find welcome in the one body of Christ…

Each of us has different challenges during this season, whether we’re single or married, working or not, young or old. As the school year begins, families are on my heart. Though distance learning was a thing in the Spring, virtual learning is different this time around. My post today is a prayer for families, and I invite you to pray along with me. Father God, We come to you recognizing we don’t have control over every aspect of our lives.…

We are the most technologically advanced society ever.  With telescopes, we can peer into deep space and see far away galaxies.  With microscopes, we can see the basic building blocks of matter.  And, after thousands of years of human experience, we now understand the basic foundations of life and can determine the intricacies that bring about human life.  But, with all these scientific advances, humanity still struggles with how to live life (the headlines of the news reveal the everyday…

When I hosted a couple Sundays ago, on 8/2, I mentioned my recent road trip and taking scenic routes where I experienced the beauty of God’s creation as well as His presence. These longer, less populated, alternative roads became a metaphor for me of experiencing God’s presence in the midst of the pandemic.  Having a change of scenery is essential for me to realign with God, allow Him to renew my hope and strengthen me with healthy ways of coping.  I’ve only…

The hymn “How Great Thou Art” is a treasured favorite for many of us at PBCC. It’s introduction to the church in America came by way of the Billy Graham crusade in the late fifties. The themes of the hymn speak of the wonders of creation and the joys of salvation, culminating in the refrain “Then Sings My Soul”.  Those four words can have different meanings for many of us. As a worship leader and especially with the new orders…

These last few months have been difficult for so many people at so many different levels.  Our conversations invariably turn to cancelled events from the spring, something we had hoped to do this summer but can’t, and plans we may have had for the fall that are now in doubt.  This week I was supposed to be at Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast, where we’ve met with family and friends every summer for literally decades – not that the…

For the past 12 weeks I’ve been immersed in some of my final theology courses to finish up my master’s degree, and it has been so good (I wasn’t sure I would ever say that about theology classes, but I can now!).  I have been pushed to think deeply about aspects of my faith that I had previously pushed aside or hadn’t even been aware of.  I’ve reflected on the incredible depth of what the scriptures say, of who our…