My Miracle Bike Story

“I’m sorry Todd; I don’t have time to meet with you today.” It was true. But his words, “Can’t you just give me ten minutes?” changed my mind. My wife, Laura, and I have said these words for so many years, “Love people and use things, never love things and use people.” Here was my opportunity.

So I drove to Mall 205 and met with Todd. My surprise? After going from more than a year without a bicycle I now had a bike that cost $4,700 new. Gifts of this magnitude can make you feel so small, so undeserving –and they are! True gifts are never about deserving something. God loved us before He even created our world (Ephesians 1:4-5).

My bike remind me of another truth an old British chap wrote, “Never seek justice for yourself, always seek to give it to others.” This has been a difficult one for me. I so struggled with the injustice of being hit from behind by a pickup and not being compensated. But I’m alive (my tennis game sucks – torn rotator cuff) and I can now ride again. God is very, very good! Maybe I’ll share about my wife’s miracle bike gift next week.

We are doing baptisms tomorrow at Laurelhurst – what a symbol of the ultimate gift offered free to us. Come visit us tomorrow – it’ll be amazing. See you there!

Interruptions, Fixing cars, Stumptown

I'm sitting out front of a very cool coffee shop (it serves Stumptown coffee) waiting for my son's car to get fixed; my friend Jason has just showed up, the sun (and SON) is warm! "Wait Jason, I've got to finish this blog. I've go to share this." Jason smiles, "OK." Just about 15 min. before a young man begging for change had stopped by my hangout spot. He was so beat up, beat down, and lost. God made me cry out for him. When he asked for change for a phone call I answered him with a strong, "NO!" I then replied, "But I'll give you some money anyway." I dug out two bucks and handed it to him, I told him to wait, I had more but the guilt of not feeling he deserved "grace" was already on him (he was in serious need of a fix). He kept saying no, this is enough for a call. I left him with the words "God bless your life today." and have been praying for the mystical, supernatural presence of Jesus to say what human words can't - "You are my kid. I chose you before I made this world (Ephesians 1:4-5), realize, see, simply say 'yes' to My love. I can change you, and help you see the value I placed on you for free! Come here, I'll touch you and heal you my child."

Here is the prayer (I try to write these daily) I wrote out on my lap-top after meeting my "nameless friend." I've edited it slightly, but it's what God and I were talking about - As you read it, let God whisper whatever He wants to into your heart. "God bless you."

"Dear Father,

Oh how my heart breaks for the young man who just asked for change ( phone call money?). He is so lost, so locked in slavery, so little hope left in his eyes (he was afraid to look into mine). Father, I’m so rich on every level and so full of thoughts about myself (right now blessings and hope re. future ministry). Please God, take some of my joy and peace and let it seep, splash, or splatter onto your son (phone money-kid) who is running from all that is bright and good – You walking so close to him, please let him know You.

I again invite you to erase the irrelevant, the trumped up religious thoughts, actions, and medicating flake-ness of theology that’s a Band-Aid for the hunger U place in me; a deep thirst to be with U and realize the friendship U call me to (the original Eden plan for all humans)!

Take my great plans for good and my nice activities in ministry and dissolve them with your passion and the realization that “because I’m Your kid” every thought, situation, and life-experience today is a wonderful opportunity for U to be strong and good in someone else’s life! I love you and pray that my one passion stay as consistent as my cell phone bill –“I say YES to Your presence, aliveness in and then out of me. Flow uninhibited, full of Your amazing hope, everywhere I go, to everyone I meet!

Your son,

Bruce "

Refresh, Recharge, and then Charge!

“Be still and KNOW” that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) Who I think I am is largely determined by who I look to as the most important force in my life. For me, these past thirty-two years it has been my best friend and wife Laura. We’ve ridden two hundred miles on our bicycles in one day (more than once), and climbed Mt. Constitution on our bikes (If you’ve never made it to Orcas Island you’ve got to move it to the top of your list). We did a half-marathon together (she cheered me on for my one and only Marathon); together we’ve explored the world and continue to grow madly in love with each other. Simply put, Laura makes me believe “I’m a real boy!” (The 1st Shrek movie is an amazing study of human endeavors to like and accept oneself.).

But best of all Laura and my father had the most significant impact in my understanding of how much Jesus loves me. Know I really KNOW how valued and loved I am! Why am I sharing this? Portland is a city that needs real people to meet Jesus Freaks who really want to be their friend and allow God’s Spirit to tell them what no human can, “You are so loved by God. He chose you before he even made this world. Come be my friend –Forever!”

If you are in love with “things,” stop! Take the time to spend time with those God has given to you as gifts of love.

Laura and I fell in love with Pacific City this last week (Our 32nd anniversary); between cycling, walking the beach and discovering some cool art and AMAZING food, we laughed, prayed, and read together –We again sat still and listened to God’s love-whispering. We had so much fun we even stayed an extra day (Thank you so much Ginger for letting us use your house -its view is beyond amazing). Here are a couple pics. from the house we stayed in and one of the rides we took on our bikes.






















Sunday morning, so sunny, so wonderful - Worship and being together at Laurelhurst was wonderful. The excitement of what God is doing in Portland continues to grow. God is so good! Laura and I are so charged up with love for the people of Portland. After everyone had left the Laurelhurst church Laura and I sat in a cool little Thai restaurant (on Alberta) with a friend and talked and prayed for those wonderful, wayward "future kids" of Jesus.

Have you heard God’s refreshing whisper? Don't forget to, “love people and use things; never love things and use people.” Pastor John is so right when he says that riches are not the problem, it’s our love of “things” that keeps us from loving others. Listen to God as he says, “I love you . . . keep at it . . . good job . . . you are a faithful friend, you are serving well!”

It's almost the fourth of July, let the freedom of Jesus’ love refresh, recharge and then send you charging out with God’s love for Portland .

Rain & Water bottles

I just walked over about an hour ago and watched as a dozen volunteers worked on the 1,000 water bottles we will deliver tomorrow at 11 a.m. (meeting at the Laurelhurst church).

One of my dear friends is Wayne - he's 82 years young and catches public transportation every Friday to serve at Living Hope. He's also caught a ride to Portland to hear me speak. Wayne is so in love with God and so thankful that he can be a part of Living Hope -He is an amazing Rhino! His cane is wrapped with an "Only God" sticker; it matches his huge heart of care.

Enjoy the pictures (and send up a prayer of thankfulness for this great team). JOIN US SAT. IF YOU WANT to place water bottles on the door steps of 1,000 homes (should take about an hour).

Free Water Works!

It was so exciting to have four new guests as a result of our water bottle give away last week. It was fun, and a great workout for those not driving a vehicle - Lot's of steps to run up. People are used to getting door hangers, not water bottles with a wrapping that tells about our new Living Hope location.

Sunday was our first day in the Old Laurelhurst church - wow! Only God! We had one person visit who had lost their spouse and both children in an accident on Mother's day. They had just moved back to Portland and had found us on the web. They loved it! I then found out another guest was there Sunday and had just lost a sibling to suicide a couple weeks ago. It's so amazing to be part of a church that welcomes people just the way they are - and to see them feel as if they've finally come back home as one of those hurting "new friends" said.

We are handing out water bottles again this Sat. (meet at 11 a.m. at the church - SE 32nd & Burnside). You can drive a car, set out water from a vehicle, or get some great exercise. It will take less than an hour. See you there!

If you know someone who would be willing to do a "Vegas act" for us on one of these Sundays - it would fit so well with our new series (email me if you've got some creative ideas - Brucea@livinghopechurch.com).

Laurelhurst set for a "Crash" of Rhinos

Remember, Rhino's run about 35 mph and can see about 30 ft. in front of their horn - a group of rhino's are called a "crash!" God is calling us to crash into darkness with light. I'm NOT talking about "preaching down to, talk down at, judging or condeming others." NO, we are called to crash into darkness with God's amazing grace, his love and acceptance, and HIS FOREVER HOPE. Jesus is the answer and we will grow His forever love into any one's life who wants love! We accept others the way Jesus accepted us (Ephesians 1:4-5)

On Wednesday I sat at a sidewalk table at the Old Bagdag theater eating a great salad and planning for our new ministry location at Laurelhurst. Watching all the wonderful artistic, alive, Portland people on the street made me want to start dancing some very cool moves (I can not dance - it's impossible!) There is so much excitement in the air and I believe God is going to use Living Hope, all of us, to touch thousands of people's lives for Christ.

Last night Pastor Rick and I spend some time with the Burlingame leaders (the site of our previous Sat. night Portland campus). It's never easy sitting and listening to someone share the hurt and pain they experienced by our sudden change of directions. They so loved partnering with us and will miss having us work with them on Saturday nights. I have never seen church leaders who were so gut level honest, and yet, so full of Jesus love. I left knowing that God had used them to teach me so much more about forgiveness. Before Rick and I left, we knew we we going home still friends and still part of the ONE body of Christ. Burlingame is an wonderful example of leaders who forgive the way Jesus does. We will miss working so closely with them. If you haven't had a change to try out the "Forgiveness matrix" I posted a few days ago, try it out. I found myself using it again last night so that I could better ask forgiveness from some dear friends (Burlingame leaders) whom I had hurt.

Early this morning I read from Colossians 3 - I was so impressed with the words, "And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful." (Verses 14-15). I want the first piece of clothing I put on to be "God's love." We are able to love because HE first loved us (I John 4:19).

Come join the crash at our new location - 3212 NE Ankeny St. Portland, Or. 97214 this Sunday at 10 a.m.

I'd love to hear from you - Brucea@livinghopechurch.com

Do you like "Sweet & Sour?"

This past weekend was a blend of troubled-hurt-mad-sad-glad-expectant-joyful-uneasy-numb-questioning . . . (the list of opposite feelings could go on). Why? We are joining both Portland Living Hope campuses into ONE. That's great news in terms of strength and unity. I believe with all my heart it will help us reach more people in Portland that desperately need to meet and fall in love, forever, with Jesus!

In practical terms, what this means is that our level of partnership with the Burlingame church is not the same as it has been for the past six weeks. We will not continue our Saturday night service at Burlingame. This is the sad part -and it was so painful seeing the hurt experience by those faithful Christ-followers at Burlingame church. Their willingness to risk working together with Living Hope will continue to grow them into an even more effective "Love Machine" of God's unending grace. Burlingame's pastor, Brad, will continue to meet with me and we will both rub off (touch and be agents of change) on each other! We will continue to pray and see how we can work together in the future. God up to something in the Burlingame community!

This Sunday brings us to a new time and location for our now "stronger" army of love (LOVE ALWAYS WINS - RIGHT?) -We will be meeting in the Laurelhurst Church (one amazing building). It's just off of Burnside and SE 32nd. We will start at 10 a.m. this Sunday morning. Please invite every person you can think of to this coming weeks service -it will be one not to forget! A lot of excitement was felt at the Convention Center on Sunday (THAT WAS OUR LAST SERVICE THERE AS WELL).

I'm very interested in seeing how we can add more people to our team in terms of helping this adventure blow away Portland with love! Even with both teams of helpers at our two previous campus coming together there is room for so many more people. Do you want to get involved - be a difference maker? Email me at Brucea@livinghopechurch.com or try leaving a message on my Portland number - 503.686.8040.

Be watching for more updates this week! (Do you like to cycle? I just got a bike after being hit by a car in April of 06 - It's so cool; a miracle story I'll tell sometime later . . . )

Scary Questions to Ask Yourself

I greeted my British chap, "Good Ol' Buddy," Friday morning with an verbal exclamation; "Oh My . . . I can't believe it!" I've been meeting every morning with this old Brit for the last nine years. What he said as we first met blew me away! It mirrored the illustration I had shared with the Burlingame leaders on Wednesday night. Who's my friend? Oswald Chambers - a guy dead for nearly 100 years (I read his classic devotion every day - 9 years going strong).

So Wednesday I was brain storming together with the Burlingame Church leaders what amazing plans God had for us in our joint venture in reaching people in Portland with God’s incredible love. I had just shared with them two stories and then challenged them to wrestle through the implications and questions. I reminded them that none of us can measure or assess the level of another person’s spiritual journey. I challenged them to ask the question my sweetheart (Laura – wife & best friend for 32 years this month) and I asked ourselves about four years ago. Here’s illustration and question (Try it on and sit how it fits you!): Life is no longer like a gentle river, instead it’s more like the rapids (even dipping into a rapid with a cup changes the water –it’s no longer a rapid). As Christ-followers we are called to not camp out or build forts on the shore, rather to get into the boat, cut the lines that hold it to the dock, and move out into the rapids. There IN THE RAPIDS we can best help people met Jesus and accept His forever love. Once in the rapids, if we listen, Jesus will ask us to get out of the boat. Some of us have responded, and we are outside the boat, walking on water. But it’s possible that we’re still hanging on, like someone learning to barefoot water ski, with one hand to the side of the boat. Just as Jesus invited Peter to walk away from the boat, towards him, we are called to do the same.

I reminded them of the question Laura and I had faced a few years ago, “If we could see even 10 more people fall in love, forever, with Jesus as a result of us being willing to change or risk more, wouldn’t it be worth the risk?

Burlingame’s leaders are choosing to listen, individually and collectively. They are courageous followers of Christ. Join us and do the same in your life: evaluate, in prayer, where you are! Are you: On the shore? In a boat tied us to the dock? In the rapids? Out of the boat, walking on water, but still hanging on? Are you taking those steps that could lead to a dunking (like Pete’s baptism of learning NOT to take his eyes off Jesus)?

Spend the time, no matter how hard, dark, or uncomfortable –it’s worth it. Besides Jesus will take you to a new high in knowing you were made for a reason; a really big one.

You are a difference maker in Jesus! Step out of the boat! Let go of the sides! You can walk on water!

TO READ Oswald Chamber's devotion click here!

A Forgiveness Matrix

Here’s my forgiveness template, its purpose is simple: I desire to drop all “magic words because they can never free me of the poison of unresolved hurt (inflicted by myself or others). I want to live out God's love to others. It starts with me. Friendship, love, trust, and forgiveness are never defined by a single event (It takes thousands of pixels to make a beautiful picture.) rather by the fabric, process, of living out our dreams, desires, and true beliefs. Time builds trust. It's all our experiences together that grows lasting friendships: the same is true of forgiveness.

Here’s my suggestion: use this matrix to first forgive yourself. List all the harm and the effects you’ve suffered from not forgiven yourself –then accept God’s perspective, His crazy-beyond-reasonable love for you ! You will then find free to live out this new love to others. It’s all about accepting the free gift of love.

This forgiveness is made up of what my friend, pastor John Bishop, calls the 3 D’s of forgiveness: Discover, Define, and then Dispose. Here are the elements that I use to walk, sometimes crawl; through forgiveness (I just used this template last week – then yesterday, who should I bump into but a person who wounded Laura and I very deeply some four years ago. The person who hurt us smiled, then approached us. They reached out and hugged us as if we were long lost friends. I won’t go into some of the mixed emotions we experienced, but I am so glad that I had just worked through this issue using this 3-D tool. Here it is:

DISCOVER

1. Make a list of the Harm experienced: Betrayal, abandonment, insensitivity, selfish acts, hurtful words,, looks of rejection, contempt (Do this for all the failures, loses, and un-forgiven areas of your life.). Write, think, pray, until you have listed as much as you can remember in one sitting.

DEFINE

2. Write out the Lingering Effects: List the side-effects, the lasting tinges of guilt, the tendency to be afraid, crave safety, unsureness about yourself. Jot down any addictions, habits, fakeness, numbing of emotions, critical view of life and others . . . list all the ways your heart was broken –and the relationships you’ve struggled with as a result of not forgiving yourself! Note: these first two steps are painful but so valuable –unless we face the harm done in our lives we will naturally tend to discount our pain think ignoring or dismissing it will make it go away. Some of the greatest injury comes from the unresolved poison of past hurts that have been covered up, but never destroyed.

DISPOSE

3. I Won’t lug it around anymore: Letting go of our past failures is very feasible when you’ve put in the hard work of the first two steps. You are now ready share your pain with God by handing it over to Him.. Our perspective determines our expectations. We expect less when we view ourselves as less! Expect God listen as you share the reality of your past pain. Sharing this with God is part of the “process” –put in the hard work in steps one and two and you will find freedom in talking this out with God. I find it to be a huge benefit in taking my list and physically destroying it (burn it, shred it, or flush it)! My favorite disposal technique is the paper shredder. I love the sound! As you are annihilating it, sing out a pray of thankfulness for the freedom that is on it’s way. Don’t worry about whether you may need to repeat this process again (For time to time I find a bit of residual poison and use this tool (gift) to become more conscious of God’s love and acceptance.)

LOVE OUT

4. Review your boundaries: The placement of this step is very important. Often we have used the idea of “boundaries” as a kind of pop-psychology tool to simply push others away or simply feed our own selfishness. Healthy boundaries are ways of reinforcing our uniqueness and that of others too. For example, one my boundaries are that I don’t want to eat “delightful” foods alone (NY Cheesecake). I choose to use these kinds of food to celebrate and add to my friendship with others. When I eat “great food” alone I find I’m often trying to cover up some disappointment or unfair experience. By using this boundary I keep growing in my awareness that I’m Ok no matter what circumstances come my way –good or bad. Try listing some ways you can reinforce the truth that you are one of God’s beautiful kids – so loved, so wonderfully created in His image (Psalm 139). Boundaries are good –like skin, or a picture frame, they are to add to the reality that You are amazing work of art –created to love and grow friendships forever.

5. There is no longer any debt: You are now ready to consciously, physically, forgive yourself. God has already canceled the debt –you can too! Say the words; “I no longer have any debt. God has set me free. I’m free because love and forgiveness was to me, by God, even before I was born.” This is a powerful time to read the following Bible passages (These are but a few of my favorites) –Ephesians 1:4-5; 2:1-10; Romans 5:6-10; Isaiah 44:22. God loved us because He wanted to and we had nothing to do with Him choosing to love us (like a parent loving a new born child). I forgive myself because God already forgave me. Jump up and down in your new acceptance of yourself. You are acting out what God has already said about you (I John 4).

6. Reconciliation: We are now ONE with God. Our senses are limited, but God’s perspective is so much more. We can grow in the acceptance of who we are right now –God’s kids! (Note: this is the only step that isn’t always possible when forgiving others –it’s there free choice. Some people will only be reconciled with us in heaven.)

Once you have forgiven yourself you are then ready to use this same matrix in walking through the harm others have done to you. I recommend you try this first in dealing with the pain you’ve experience with a parent. Then use it for the relationships of abandonment or abuse you’ve never though you could revisit. This matrix is simply a tool, but when used with prayer, and acted out, it can move you to think amazing levels of freedom. You will see God’s love flowing into and then out of you towards others. God will bless you on this brave new adventure. Try it soon! LIVE LOVE!

Saturday Night Lights - More about the story

“Every good and perfect gift is from above. . . ” wrote Jesus’ half-brother James. God never changes and you can count on Him (James 1:17). All that is good is a gift given by someone! When you look up what do you see? Who do you see? How strong or big the person you look up to is of little value if their not good for you.

Last night (Sat.) two very cool (handsome and beautiful) kids stood fearlessly on stage and read from Hebrews 12:1-2. They had never done this before. They were practiced, having prepared for their debut. But we had forgotten to turn on their wireless mikes (someone told me afterwards they thought we had left them off on purpose to add to our point). It really was a accident that added to my opening thought. We were all built to want to win (do good, be a blessing, be accepted, recognized). But when we mess up it tends to make us afraid to try again. Everyone could see the kid's struggle to adjust to the "unexpected" situation and finish well. Even the applause didn't fix their feeling of "losing." As a adults we could so identify with these kids (Alec and Bailey)! We all grow when others love and accept us as we are!

Much of my life I operated as a human doing instead of living out the gift of being a human BEING. Why? Mostly because I didn’t see a big God as being good for me. I c blamed myself and my own poor choices. I shrugged my shoulders and sometimes blamed some indefinable fate. I could so easily and tortuously, be killing myself in the bitterness of how unfair and unkind my world was. I felt unheard and picked on in high school (only my dad’s amazing communication skills and generous financial investments in local education got me back in school (I was suspended six times my 9^th grade year and two more times before I graduated). Today my youngest son is graduating! Marcus got suspended when he was in 4^th grade. I was devastated! He had been paying an 8^th grader, on the bus, to do his math homework (.25 cents at a shot). Marcus is planning on focusing on business leadership in college. As humans we are up and down the scales of consistency when it comes to be good for someone else (or even our self). But God claims He is good for us “all the time.” Here’s a really big question: Is there someone “good” in your life who will always be there to lift you up, rescuing you, restore your hope, your belief that everything will be alright.

When I told the story last night (Sat.) of our son Gordon’s Rose festival race in 1982 and the trophy that we had already purchased for him, I was retelling the story of God’s promise that He is always good for us, all the time! It’s very hard to believe this “unbelievable claim.” If it’s true it means much of the hurt from past screw-ups and failure by others is no longer able to hurt us or keep us in prisons of fear (Perfect love –God throws out fear, I Jn. 4:18).

Tomorrow I’m going to post a forgiveness matrix that has so helped me to believe that “I’ve already won” and God is always good in my life (it lists some of my favorite Bible texts). Check it out and then share it with a friend. Forgiveness and the belief that nothing in your past can destroy the present is the first step to really being free to love others as freely as God FIRST loved you! Remember, “hurt people, hurt people.” We have to forgive ourselves first, before we can forgive others well.

How well do you forgive yourself? I believe that to forgive our self and accept love as a gift that is always being poured into our life (even when we refuse it, it’s still right next to us, waiting for us to drink in in) is our greatest need! It’s when God’s free gift of love is being accepted into my life that I can love and accept others without judging them or even worrying about how well they accept my love to them!

Just trying harder to love others is a human-doing trick, it’s the opposite of accepting the gift of being a human BEING! Love is only received. Our letting it in allows God to pour it back out to others. It’s not a job we do, not work. It’s relaxing and letting God use us – pour through us with his Love. Love always wins! Drink in the gift of love right now!

Reach Out - Much Easier (Try us)

How was your Memorial Memories? Three great BBQ's for us, time at 24hr. Fitness, and lots of catch up work at home! Monday night Laura's brother flew back from London and we were frustrated that we couldn't find out when his plane arrived. I suddenly was aware of how much cell phones and email have changed our lives (stress and a desire to get connected NOW). Well at Burlingame we now have moved up to our own office phone - FUN.
Give our office phone a call (our phone gets lonely too) and leave us a unique message - Call 503.686.8040.

Try our Bruce's weekly blog - lhcportland.blogspot.com

How about sending an email from one of the blogs you like, with a comment and invitation to our Sat. 6 p.m. service, to a friend? Keep reaching out - keep touching lives. It's fun that lasts forever!

This weekend, June 2, I will be speaking on the secret of NOT GIVING UP. Sounds easy but when your at the bottom and rejection is high, it's worse than a root canal! I've telling one of my top 10 stories ever (about one of my boys & a big race). Josiah's band will be back this weekend and we have some great surprises for everyone who comes (I hate keeping these kind of secrets)!

More in a day or two . . . (enjoy the weather - use sunscreen . . . No, I'm not your mother). Look for my two FUN books to read this summer!

BBQ this Saturday 4-5:30 p.m.

Our volunteers are amazing: Holly handed out nearly 300 invitations to neighbors and friends this week in anticipation of our weekend BBQ. 10 beautiful watermelon showed up today and more great food is on the way. Invite a friend or two and come see what God is doing in Portland Or.

This last week I met with Matt and his story was so remarkable that I asked him if I could share it. As a boy in Colorado he grew up going door to door sharing Bible texts he had memorized. Imagine his shock when he father was suddenly excommunicated and disappeared from his life. His father joined the gay community and then later died of aids.

Matt's life spun out of control as his mother soon left Colorado and moved to Rupert Idaho (the first town I pastored in on my own). Home and his friends turned dark and from there his life has been filled with multiple ways of attempting to hide the pain. Matt has filled his body with alcohol and many other drugs -Meth being the worst. He's watched his own children experience many of the prisons he has battled.

Sitting in my new office (Downstairs in the Burlingame church) I felt a strong sense of the reality of Jesus' passion - "To bring liberty to those who are beat up, hurting, and in prisons of fear." If you are reading this blog and are blind in some area of your life - Jesus will give you new eyesight. If you can't hear God repeatedly saying to you, hundreds of times every day, "I so madly in love with you!" then you can know He is right now in the process of healing your ears.

Matt has been clean for two years and was able to see his son baptized in the Rose Garden. He is anxious to join our team that is forming to build a Living Free Recovery ministry at Burlingame. Sitting here with my laptop, I'm still amazed at how powerful, and GOOD God is - always. Matt couldn't see His smiling face for so many years, but NOW HE KNOWS and it shows!

Matt plans to be at our BBQ - I hope you get to met him.

Religion is about rules, information, doctrine, and "being safe." God is about hope, laughter, healing, and changed lives that "love as He first loved us." Take a moment and read I John 4:7-12 (especially verse 12)! We can all say together, "Only God." See you at the BBQ.

Another weekend to stomp out guilt

This weekend, May 19, is going to be one of the most powerful experiences for people who have had a ton of guilt dumped on them! If you know someone who has run away from "religion" because of the fear, guilt, and rules they experienced -invite them to Living Hope at Burlingame this Saturday night. They will be so surprised!

My mother, Donna was taught as little girl that people who played cards, went to the "Picture Shows" and drank beer (even light beer) were not following God's rules and when they did these things (dancing was on the list too) they made God frown and her personal angel couldn't protect her either. Wow, this is sad. Imagine sitting in a show trying to getting into the movie when the thought jumped into your brain, "My angel was sitting on the curb outside - what if there was a fire? I'm in trouble!" This is not a guilt that come from God (Read John 3:16-17)

There's a reason Jesus said, "I came that you might have life - to the fullest!" (See John 10:10) Jesus hates to be represented by Christians as always disappointed in our human falling-down moments. Love always win! Fear and guilt will never carry us far in our relationships.

Last night we had our first Burlingame Leadership get-together. Nine of us sat around eating pizza and sharing what first brought us to Living Hope. I was so touched by how many had come out of religious experiences that continually beat them up. Many had grown so tired of churches that only operated for themselves. Seeing the light on their faces last night was so encouraging, so real!

Those who come this weekend to be part of our "Damage Control" series will feel, experience, and find freedom -"So if the Son sets you free, you are REALLY free!" (See John 8:36)

I can't wait to see another face light up with real love and acceptance! See you Saturday.

Weekend Miracles (keep on inviting)

Ask, invite, be a friend, and then trust God. This last weekend I invited about forty people to Burlingame; I am so glad I spent the time calling: twenty-six of those I called showed up! Wow! Two of them had been struggling with deep pain, three of them had just been baptized a few weeks ago, and one, who is agnostic and desperately wants a forever-friendship with Jesus, brought three more with him. When I say he “desperately wants a forever-friendship” I realize he doesn’t know this yet (I love reading Acts 17 then look forward to the day it dawns on my friend how close Jesus has been all this time!).

Those who showed up early Saturday afternoon, Carla, Kathy, and Shirley –a Burlingame Church member, to prepare all those roses; thank you so, so much for all the extra you did! For all the leaders who gave so much time, you so inspire me! After Saturday night’s service, Laura and I hugged a young girl who has been going through some hard times –to see the look of hope, the smile, mingled with tears, and to see her laugh again . . . and then make an appointment to hang out with me wife this week –Wow this makes all the long hours and prayer worth it.

One couple who visited our Saturday night service was a retired pastor and his wife who had driven my mother from College to a bus station in Baker City Oregon 53 years ago where my mom met my future dad (if you missed the “dark grey turtle neck sweater and purple puddles of passion” story I’m sorry . . . I tell it to you again if you ask). To see this man and his wife discover more than fifty years later how much hope they added to my parents lives was so cool. This retired pastor was also the man who dedicated me to the Lord when I was a baby. It was a powerful evening of seeing people hang out together and grow in the power of God’s love.

Sunday morning I was so tired, and wasn’t at all excited about being at the Convention center. When we arrive, we found the Kid’s World needed some extra help. Laura and I jumped in and soon Laura had little two year old boy hanging onto her desperately (All he wanted was his daddy). I sat by myself. Little did I know that God has placed me just where he wanted me –I was about to tag-team with our Burlingame Prayer Leader, Elle.

Elle was beaming when she introduced me to Ross. The service has just ended. Ross had ridden his bicycle to the Convention center for the first time. Elle had met him on a business flight not long ago and had been inviting him to a “different kind of church.” Ross’s eyes were red from crying. “Could you help us,” Elle begged, “my new friend Ross wants to know how to accept Jesus into his life?” Could I help? I still laugh about the question –YES, SURE, OK! Ross was so full of anticipation. Sitting in that huge auditorium, Elle and I (really, it was the God’s Spirit) introduced Jesus to a guy who had not been in church for many years. Here’s a young man that felt judged by Christians. “I never knew they had a church that could give me so much hope” he gushed and then added, “I grew up Catholic and I always felt so much guilt.

Driving back home that afternoon, I felt so, so tired. But it was absolutely worth it! I looked at my wife and said, “Happy Mother’s day.” The smile and the shared joy seeing Jesus work His magic again this weekend felt as warm as sunshine that was trying to force it’s way into a great Mother’s day. Maybe you’ll meet Ross this Saturday night at Burlingame. I’m expecting more “Ross” stories. Invite. Smile. Be a friend! Bring a friend. And keep believing another miracle is just around the corner! Only God!

This weekend at Burlingame

There are a couple of surprises that need to stay just that, but here's the latest. My wife and I will be sharing with you about God's amazing potential through the words of a mother. We have a story, a small part of our story, that we want to share. Bring your friends for a lot of fun, and let me share some of my favorite of all stories!

So many people have shared with me about their mothers, some good memories some painful. This will be a weekend for all of us to examine the power of words and their potential, words spoken, and those that we failed to share. This is a fantastic weekend to invite someone who has been damaged by religion and in need of powerful words of affirmation.

Fun, funny, tender, and full of hope -that's what I'm praying this Sat. night will bring as we share a slice of life from our passion to learn how to love authentically God's forever love!



Here are a few verses I've been reviewing, and might use this weekend:



From the wisest man who ever lived -Proverbs 18:20-21 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. 21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.



Written by the man who also wrote the Love Chapter - Romans 8:16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.



Peter, the rock, the man who walked on water, and had a huge anger problem -1 Peter 4:8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins [ONLY GOD!]

Soft-launch @ Burlingame: The adventure begins

It was a scary start! I looked at my watch; it read 4:00 p.m. No one had arrived yet! Where are all my fearless friends? A brand new sound system, a not yet assembled new projector, and lots of other loose ends (offering buckets – oops, that’s why Freddie’s is so close) played with my nerves (Dondi, you are a lifesaver!).

But the illusion that we’re the one’s doing the work faded around 5:50 p.m. and the reality that God DIDN’T SHOW UP, because He was ALREADY THERE in the first place rang true! Elle Lerman, and Doug and Carla Schopperlrey were the early prayer warriors that God used to calm my stress. Don Taylor, classic Hawaiian shirt flying full sail, ran errands and Michael and Janice made their acquaintance in the sound booth and prepping our Welcome Center. When 6 p.m. rolled into town I was so excited. Smiles, new faces, and fantastic kick off -God never gets sweaty palms. The evening ended with a permanent “ONLY GOD” sticker plastered on my heart.

Three new helpers showed up in our Kid’s World ministry and Jason stayed until the end, vacuuming and cleaning after everyone was gone (It’s fun watching a 6’4’’ giant vacuum!). There are so many more I could name who gladly joined in with willing hands - it was a wonderful evening (Ken, thanks for climbing that 18 foot ladder).

I love singing my lungs out with Josiah and the band; what a great worship time (I knew he had been recording in the studio all day and would do two more worship sets the next morning). I watched as 142 of us, together, experienced our first Launch in the Terwilliger curves –Burlingame (Reed’s college and nearby Lewis and Clark College are going to hear our music –I can only imagine). Portland is going to see darkness run for the hills and an acceptance and love that’s not based on religion, come charging in. Jesus loves Portland and I so want to love what counts most to God. I can hardly wait for this weekend!

Sunday morning I was at the Convention Center and so were several of our key leaders from Saturday night. Two people from our Fresh Start small group on Thursday night (David and Elle, thank you so much for opening your home!) arrived, excited about their decision to be baptized (Family and friends were there to make it so perfect).

Pam, Traci, being able to baptize you was such a thrill. To think back just one month and realize that religion had kept you afraid and away from the kind of love and acceptance you’re now experiencing –God is doing a wonderful thing! You both inspire me so much!

The story of George, who happened into the Convention Center after his 18 Wheeler broke down three times, was another of God's weekend masterpieces. Sunday morning, George and his wife jumped off the Max and decided to wandered through the Portland Convention Center; to his surprise he stumbled upon a church, Living Hope. Standing in the big swimming pool at the end of the service, listening as Pastor John stopped and shared with everyone God’s reminder of why we’re doing church in Portland, was so cool. George simply glowed, above and below the water! He came up out of the water a new man, with an new memory of Portland, Oregon and a new passion to take back to San Diego. His connection with Living Hope is strong, and George's forever-friendship with Jesus something that will never break down. "God’s voice is continuing," as Pastor John often says, “to get just a little bit louder.”

We don’t work for God, we simply say yes to wherever He wished to place us. He works in us!

Wherever you are today is a “Great place.” God is working out His magical love through you. Just smile and believe!

Can't wait to share (What a weekend)

Our "Soft-launch" at Burlingame Sat. night was incredible! Only God! I will post some of the miracles this later today - You won't want to miss several of the surprises this coming weekend (May 12).

An idea: A lot of people that don't regularly do the "church thing" will skip this Sunday - SO . . . why not invite them Sat. night to our NEW SOFT-Launch. It will be a wonderful celebration!

Anyone who would like to be a part of the Baby dedication service can find out more by emailing me, Brucea@livinghopechurch.com.

Be watching for more details about this coming weekend! Only God. (I'll also update you on the Baptisms we had on Sunday at the Convention Center.

Our Daily Chair - God's great gift

What a simple, but PROFOUND illustration Pastor John used this last weekend, the chair. The chair represents so well the "rest" God offers to us -God really is saying, "Relax your fist, let God put his hand on your shoulder and say, "It's going to be OK. Your OK. I love You." This was the powerful message of last week.

I was approached by Pam on Sunday after the service; she was so excited. It was her third week at our Portland campus and is so excited to be baptized this Sunday. She told me how she had her purse stolen at Loyds' Center this week. Pam checked with Lost and Found, looked everywhere, and then prepared to move on. At some point she thought to herself, "why not pray about this." She did, and then got on with life.

When the call from the Postal service came she made no immediate connection to the stolen purse. The postal caller informed Pam that they had a suspicious package with her return address on it. There was insufficient postage, and no address to mail it to- The caller then asked, "Could we bring the package over and have you open it?" You guessed it, the rest is part of an Only God history -yes, the total contents of Pam's purse was in the package. Wow"! Pam's face was still lit up when I saw her on Sunday! It was so cool! What a living example of a gift that goes way beyond what you expect - A gift from God!

Monday I was at Starbucks. It was my day off. I was wearing my "Only God T-shirt." Two baristas smiled and said they had just been talking about "that church." I got my coffee and introduced the people I was connecting together, and then left. As I left I walked next to a line of cars waiting for the "much more than $3 per. gallon coffee." Suddenly a horn awakened my posture -It was my friend Randy, and as he rolled his passenger window down he called out -"I loved the message this weekend." He then went on to tell me he was going to take his "chair card" to share with other business person he would met with this week! God's chair of grace is everywhere.

Have you acted out Grace into someone life this week? Is there someone in your life that you need to be more gracious with this week? Try reading I Corinthians 13:4-7, then circle the words you need God's grace in order to love someone better this week. Invite someone to sit in God's chair of rest - GRACE.

New way to play "Hide and Seek"

I felt it on Sunday afternoon, about 3:30 p.m. to be precise! It was that old personality twitch again, my desire to hear “my love-language” via “words of affirmation.”

The Convention service was amazing! The response to John's call to be honest about pain in our lives, to see God suffering with us, to come to Him and be real, all of it was so life-changing, inspiring. I helped facilitate a class following the service and it was so thrilling to see people who had never been to Living Hope, many of them still damp, glowing from their Easter baptism, join me. Some had come last week for the first time, like the guy who Jason invited in from the “body, mind, and spirit” conference (This guy accepted Jesus at the end of the service! WOW! Way to be there Jason!). Several of our new leaders for the Fresh Start class (soon to be a LifeGroup) were there, including Dennis Blevens.

Dennis was the guy I wanted to call at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. I wanted to ask Dennis how I did facilitating the class. Why? I’ve taught classes for almost thirty years (Yes, I started teaching when I was 6!). I wanted to hear Dennis, distinguished former teacher from Multnomah School of the Bible, a coach to pastors around the globe, a super-teacher-wonder-pastor-mentor dude, say, "Good Job Bruce!"

“Dennis, what did you think?” my mind called out more than once. Well, I didn’t call Dennis, and today’s devotional from my old British chap friend made me glad I didn’t. Let me paraphrase his words: Living in the moment of my society isn’t my trap, nor is consciously rebelling against God; my trap, as a Christ-follower is I so passionately desire spiritual success! Oswald (read his devotional – here) says the problem is that our "definition of spiritual success" is patterned after “religion.” I think he's right! I look for what can be measured, counted, and will make a great “Chicken-soup-book” story! I love to see it, then write it down on paper (and privately brag to myself).

Oswald’s words hit me hard, “Never seek after anything other than approval of God.” The devotion ends by saying that many religious leaders are little more than “dictators.” To avoid this my Brit friend says “Stay hidden with Christ in God –Colossians 3:3.”

Hide your heart from seeking approval from others, and hide, be safe, only in the reality that God is smiling at you. His spirit, Jesus’ presence, is IN you! You are HIS kid!

I saw so many people, Like Christy Davidson, working such long hours with little notice –what fueled them? I saw how Dondi rolled with the punches that some of the “not so friendly Convention staff” threw. She treated them as Jesus would and does! Why? They keep their hearts “hid in Jesus” only.

When my “love language” is the presence of Jesus, then any words or smiles from others simply becomes "berry purée" on an already wonderful New York Cheesecake!

Jesus is the both the reason and the source!

Play hide before you seek! Hide in Jesus and you’ll not become addicted to seeking your value and affirmation from Jesus!

Easter goes to Court

Whenever I see people reaching out to their neighbors, co-workers, and especially strangers, with the same acceptance Jesus has for them I get very excited.

For this blog I won’t use her name, but I will say, “I can’t forget the look in her eyes as I baptized her on Easter Sunday.” Five years earlier this ladies’ husband died of cancer. It was so sudden. The lost of a husband, father and a sudden financial squeeze –the grieving, depression . . . everything, it was almost impossible to bear. The kids struggled so much through these dark months. Then into this tragedy a neighbor, Colleen stepped. Laura and I have been friends with Colleen and her family for a long time. We did ministry together, devoured pizza, admired home improvement projects; I was privileged to baptize two of their kids (Both are in the Kid's World Band now - Watching them on stage Fri. night at our Family Night out was so cool. Katie Bishop led and the energy and fun was way over the top for God - It was one very fun night!). We are made for deep meaningful relationships. I had no idea how much Colleen’s choice to love on this hurting family would bless me, my own faith, and so many other people as well.

Colleen was so nervous when she first approached her neighbor; one of the rumors was they were “God haters.” But Colleen stepped into her own Jordon and the result are beyond amazing – their eternal! Colleen and her family kept just being there and loving this family. It after this lady’s husband had been buried that Laura and I were able to meet her in her home. The burden of the stress, bills, and unsettled life was about to drown this single mom. It was there that we opened our hearts, the Bible, and a picture of Jesus love that is a gift that is totally free, never earned or deserved. It was such a joy to share Jesus and see her say yes to the GIFT OF LIFE.

Jesus’ love, His Father’s love – their the exact same. God is mad-in-love with us (John 3:16-18). God’s love is THE gift, offered to us before we even knew He existed (like a new born infant totally unaware of their parent’s love (Romans 5:6-20, Ephesians 2:1-10). This very moment we can know we are God’s forever-friends and that we will live in His love forever – we ARE His kids (I John 5:11-13) !

Fast forward with me four years from this “I’m God’s Kid” moment (the moment of knowing you know you are forever safe in Jesus) this lady had experience. We had lost contact with new baby Christ-follower. Like many of us, this grieving "daughter of the King" had fallen into a deep pit of discouragement. Finding a job, dealing with issues in her home, fear, . . . it so quickly tears us down, isolates us, makes feel like we failed. Now after four years this same lady is standing in a swimming pool, in the Rose Garden, Easter morning, waiting for me to baptize her into Jesus forever arms of love. As she came up out of the water, her eyes glowed in an inhuman, most beautiful way. Again, my heart exploded with the resolution God put there many years ago, “There is no price to high to pay, no mountain too tall, no difficulty to great” when comes to seeing lost people find out God has never left them and will love them, for free, forever! Forever friendship with God, there's nothing better! The words of my pastor and friend, fellow worker John Bishop is so true, “Lost people do matter to God.”

But this Easter story isn’t over. Just a couple days after her baptism this lady son was arrested at a late night party and put up in the local slammer. Because of Easter, God’s perfect timing was so clearly seen. My wife, Laura, was able to sit with this mom and pray as her son stood before the judge. Just a couple of days after getting out of jail, this young man left a message inviting Laura and me to meet and pray with him. Wow! Only God knew how much this lady needed strength and how much her baptism would surround her with new friends and renewed hope! God is even now reaching out to her kids! Only God!

Who is God asking you to smile on, invite to the Convention center this Sunday, show kindness to, pray for? Stop. You an read this blog later – go and call, email, drive over and make that forever difference! Do it now! I’m so glad that five years ago Colleen listened to God and took that scary walk down the street to offer love to a hurting neighbor – another one of God’s kids is home safe!

We all have but one life to live –let’s go, full speed (Rhino hyper-pace-speed) ahead. CRASH ON!

We love BECAUSE he 1st loved us! I John 4:19

Matthew 25: 34-40
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Purple Cows @ the Rose Garden

MORE REFLECTIONS ON EASTER (BUT 1st)


Last weekend we saw our first service at the Convention center - 700 + people showed up - it was amazing! Envite, bring, be there with a friend!

I could keep going on Easter stories, but will only share a few more!

My friend Charles saw a "purple cow" moment (idea of being remarkable pitched in a couple of popular books - My wife, Laura, is currently reading the one; THE BIG MOO! Good book!)

Anyway, Charles and his family expected lots of glitz once they worked their way into the Rose garden, but what surprised them greatly was to find Krispy Kreme dougnuts waiting for them when they parked in the Rose quarter parking garage - They were even more surprised to get a whole box as they were leaving (To those who thought of the dougnuts - You are what adds to the remarkableness that really does make a difference in people's lives!

When people see us "giving more" than they expected it says, "we really think YOU'RE IMPORTANT!" Keep up those extra smiles, those unexpected "kindness acts." We are remarkable! God is alive IN us! ONLY GOD!

Tomorrow: An Easter reunion that took more than 5 years to ripen!

More stories from Easter (ONE of my favorites!)

Easter baptisms were almost over and I was beginning feel the chill. Then I heard my name being called. It was coming from the vicinity of our nationally recognized photographer, Kassi White, who was one of those furiously busy Canon/Nikon “recorders of God’s miracles on Easter.”

“Hey, Bruce” the soft, well educated voice lassoed my attention; it was my friend Charles. I turned to see my agnostic-believer friend (Thanks Charles for accepting this label from me) reaching out his hand. My wet, soon to be slightly water-logged, hand grasp his.

“I’ve got to go.” Polite smile. “You the man!” His genuine smile won out.

“Are you going to get baptized before you leave?” I matched and raised the bet. Life is a high stakes game (THE Game!).

“Nice try, but not this time. I’ll see you later.” I was again baptising yet another miracle-touched person.

I had eaten breakfast in Beaverton with my friend Charles last week. He was openly skeptical about our Rose Garden venture. He felt the cost to be to high. I begged him to bring his family, if only for Laura and me. (I used the “good friends” guilt trip). Imagine my surprise when Charles called Sunday, about 9 a.m., to tell me they were on their way.

I called him after he emailed me with his “story.” I asked if I could post his thoughts (below) and it was then that he said “You money was well spent!” He is a very educated man, with far too many early years of religious facts and theology crowding out more important stories and experience of Jesus as a friend. He is an honest seeker, often not even knowing it (see the last half of Acts 17). His family is wonderful, and I so enjoy hanging out with him. We ended our phone call, I was in Portland at the time, with me reminding him that I still wanted him to experience a “very non-religious” Jesus in his own life. I want Charles’ life, his family’s life, to be transformed by the personal invasion of my friend Jesus. Charles is the reason why I will burn out, give out, be used up, and poured out . . . FOR JESUS. If one more person see, falls in love with, and is transformed by Jesus, it’s worth everything I could possibly give.

Here’s the greater part of Charles' letter. After reading it – pause for a moment and hear the name of the person the Spirit is whispering to you – “I died for that girl, than man, that person!” We do love, BECAUSE He 1st loved us (I John 4:19).

"Wow, what a production! Even by my cynical standards I was quite impressed. Yesterday's entire program, from the donuts in the parking lot (nice touch, I had several) to the blue shirted ushers, kid bags, and slick booklets was exceptional. All in all it was a most amazing bit of confidence and showmanship for a flock that 10 years ago didn't exist and whose main branch still meets in what would pass for most other mainline church's fellowship hall. Very impressive indeed.

I sat for a long while watching you and the others Work the Water. Much as I did the first time I saw it at Brush Prairie my initial reaction was to shake my head in disquiet. Where were the baptismal classes of my youth? The robes? The little washrag that you put over their face before they sink under the waves? Who wants to walk home in wet clothes? As I watched the seemingly never-ending line of eager acolytes streaming down the aisle next to me I was also put off by the seemingly spur of the moment emotionalism of it all. About that time a big impeccably dressed black guy moved past my seat on his way to the pool. My first though was that SURELY he would at least take off his silk tie when his time came.

But as I continued to watch I began to see that people who were awaiting their watery date with destiny didn't seem like wide eyed fanatics caught up in the frenzy of the moment. They were not at all like the many kids at the end of a church school’s Week of Prayers, who were deified by Friday and disillusioned by Monday. No, most of these folk appeared to be simply following through on a decision calmly reached and well considered. I kept my attention on the tall black guy and sure enough, when he climbed the ladder down into what I'm sure must have been the frigid pool he had removed only his shoes and socks. Guess he had decided to make the ultimate commitment to embrace the moment and let a Higher Power sort out the future. For both his life and his silk tie. I had to admire that sort of belief, even as I at the same time rejected it –envy that leads to resentment. These days my heart is so hardened against religion that it makes Pharaoh's seem as soft as warm butter.

My wife and kids drove off for another appointment, so I walked down to the station and caught the Max for home. Sitting right across from me were two girl who appeared to be freshmen or sophomores in high school. They were in full-on punk rock goddess mode. The requisite ripped jeans, raccoon make-up, piercings, and matching Rancid t-shirts. Interestingly enough as I sat down they were in the midst of a very bitter screed about religion. How they hated having it forced down their throats by society and how much they would love to take a Bible to school and rip it's pages out to freak out their teachers and classmates. Ouch, these were some truly pissed off young hellions, although how much was true and how much was for show no one knows: I’m guessing about 50/50 in the teenage angst vs. adult-button-pushing game. But as we pulled up in front of Saturday Market, it finally dawned on me what they were so put out about. Why did they seem to hate religion so much? Apparently they were gleefully contemplating biblical desecration, or worse, because they were torqued off that... wait for it... ALL THE STORES AND MALLS WERE CLOSED FOR EASTER and they had no place to hang out and show off the badass look they had obviously worked so hard to attain and cultivate. I almost laughed out loud at the absurdity of that chain of thought. But I quickly caught myself, they might have plucked a few of those big safety pins off their artfully torn clothes and inflicted some very nasty wounds all over my exposed flesh. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. So I just smiled in bemusement as they leapt out the door and into their waiting audience. The final irony? The last words out of their mouths when the doors opened were, in unison, "Thank God that this place is open". Thank God? C'mon, stay in character, shouldn't you be praising Beelzebub?...

I thought about it the rest of the way home. How foolish and misplaced their disgust with, if not outright hatred of, religion seemed. How short sighted and shallow their childish words had sounded to me. Of course it didn't take very many minutes of musing before I had to break into a big smile. Aside from the Rockport shoes, Dockers slacks, and Haggar shirt I didn't look or sound much different than those ratty appearing punkettes (although I will always be more of an Aerosmith kind of guy). My goofy gripe with God jerking my chain about "The Plan", or the lack of one, makes about as much sense as their anger with the Big Man for not rising on a Wednesday and shutting down the malls on a day when they would be in school anyway. Not that accepting the absurdity of a position makes it any less real and troubling; either to me or those young Rancid fans.

I wonder what the first thought of that nattily attired black man and those raggedy dressed girls was this morning when they opened their eyes and faced the first day after an Easter they had briefly and unknowingly shared within blocks of each other? How could three people be so close in proximity, yet so far apart in perception? Hey wait, I suppose the very same way I could, can, and do –daily."


“Eternal life is NOT* a gift from God; eternal life IS* the gift of God.” – Oswald Chambers (Old British chap)

Tomorrow - the "over the edge" extra that Charles saw in the parking lot before entering the Rose Garden - it's really cool (send this blog to a friend. Pray for Portland!)
*emphasis added

My Easter-After Monday (Tue. for me)

I'm sitting in a Hollywood Coffee shop in Portland, having just met with two men who are so tired of being a church that has seen only two baptisms this past year. They are so excited to use their gifts in our new Burlingame campus (soft-launch May 5).

What a Monday (Tues. - Mon. is my day off). I still see the look of little Bailey and her mom April (they were on the front page of the Monday Columbian paper). What a story of many people reaching out in love. I first met April at a church plant I pastored a few years ago. She then took a station-break and then reappeared at Living Hope a little over a year ago. One of the first persons she saw was Christy Davidson, a former Oasis Kid's Word leader, and current leader of our campus Kids-world. All of Christy's love was instantly splashed over her!

April's story is one of being having to leave a very difficult living condition and do life on her own at age 15. She's had cancer and survived to pour her heart into our six year old child, Bailey. I saw them on Saturday and they asked me if I would baptise Bailey, as I baptized April at Living Hope last year. I was so excited, but in all the excitement on Sunday they couldn't find the swimming pool I was in - God is so big, and SO good! He knew exactly where they needed to be. Seeing them afterwards in the volunteer parking lot and then again Monday on the front page was just as good as actually baptising them.

After everything was done, we only had an hour to grab something to eat before rushing off to another appointment. We had to drop off some of our friends on the Max so we ended up at Applebee's - We met some Afro-American folk and told them about Living Hope. Then we spotted pastor Will (Mt. Zion Baptist) whose whole church has just merged with Living Hope. We brought him over and well . . . Easter just hasn't stopped.

The repairman who came to our house on Monday is a recovering Catholic but had seen the picture of Bailey - and, well . . . Easter isn't over yet!

Be watching . . . More stories of people I baptised . . . coming soon!

ONLY GOD - see you at the Convention center this Sun. (11 a.m.)

Pastor John's Story (Click)

Rewind & Fast Forward (EASTER @ the ROSE GARDEN

Rewind:

April fools jumped up and bit me! Like a little Chihuahua it payed me back big time. I had earlier, 8:31 a.m., played an "April fool-ish trick" on the Lead pastor of our future Saturday night site, Burlingame. Brad laughed and took it well. Now fast forward to about 1 p.m. Brad calls me and excitedly shares that his faithful band of about 100 warriors, his church, had raised $48,000 to help us launch the new Burlingame campus. I KNEW he was paying me back. No matter how hard he tried, I wouldn't bite (or swallow)!


Tuesday of this week, while with Brad at the church I saw this reality - it had grown even more; The Burlingame church had raised $57,000 in cash to help prepare for our new launch! ONLY GOD! How could 100 people who had listened to Brad and I share in their service (for about 15 minutes) respond in this way?

Fast forward:
Many of them will be joining us after their early service at the Rose Garden. Together, different churches, with unique names, working together will turn Portland upside down! Only God!

Some 2,000 years ago Jesus crashed into lives, planet earth, in a human body! Then in the ultimate act of love (John 3:15-17; Ephesians 1:4-5; I John 4:19) He chose to die in a collision that see everyone free to accept His forever love! My sweetheart, Laura, looked at me this morning as we spoke of this crash and said two words -COLLIDE & ABIDE! Jesus is the ultimate collision and because of that we can rest, abide in His love!

Keep crashing ahead with love, lots of smiles, and invitations to Easter. But don't forget to pause and abide. See pastor John's blog

Easter & Roses - ONLY GOD

Last week I got to share with five Portland downtown pastors about our ONLY GOD dream of joining forces with them in Portland -it was such a blast to see God's Spirit at work!

We are seeing so many opportunities opening up at Burlingame campus. We have a Lifegroup now meeting on Tuesday nights and a womans Lifegroup ready to start up.

An employee at one of the TV stations has been sharing with me and I'm praying they will join our team. The church, Burlingame on Barber Blvd. is excited and has already raised thousands of dollars to help us add to our start-up.

This last Friday night saw their senior pastor and his wife, Brad and Barb Little, at our Portland rally here at the Brush prairie campus -what an exciting adventure.

Plan to meet me and others at the Convention center for three weeks following Easter. We will then soft-launch on May 5.

My mind is alive with dreams of creative outreach, meaningful LifeGroups, and great food and art - all being used to touch and bring in thousands of people who need to discover and accept a forever friendship with Jesus. Come join in! See you at the Rose Garden!

Oyster Bar & Construction Party

Last week five contractors, several pastors, and Tracy and I (with our spouses) were dreaming and walking through our “Only God” location on NW Broadway (everything looks good for us to get this location very soon). We hope to begin work renovating in the next couple of weeks and in the near future to open two Life Groups at the campus, before soft-launch. Are you excited yet? Just today another contractor stepped up and offered to help (wow)!

Tuesday night saw ten of us laughing and getting to know each other at Dan’s Oyster Bar; the beginnings of our first downtown Life Group. There’s room for more. Already the group is ready to divide and grow! If you are interested in joining us this Tuesday night please email me or Tracy (give us your phone number) – we’ll save you a spot. Brucea@livinghopechurch.com , TracyY@livinghopechurch.com

An almost new espresso machine has been found and we’re continuing to meet those who want to be part of the Portland Dream team. The list of needs is great, but God is bigger. We will continue to dream grand dreams.

Only God!