Pastor's Ponders

PONDERS WITH PASTOR BILL

Wisdom From Ziggy

By wvbaptist | March 5, 2020 | 0 Comments

March 4, 2020 I appreciate the Ziggy cartoon. Occasionally, he really makes me think. Such was the case on February 26 this year. He was looking at the March calendar and said, “Pondering the future can be overwhelming . . . fortunately, we only have to deal with it one day at a time.” One […]

Looking Back

By wvbaptist | February 27, 2020 | 0 Comments

February 27, 2020 Recently, I said to Carol, “I wish I could be 30 again and live the next decades with the life experience I have gained.” Obviously not an option, but I thought about what I might do differently if it were possible. Creator God is in charge, but I appreciate Him more than […]

Pray Without Ceasing

By wvbaptist | February 20, 2020 | 0 Comments

February 19, 2020 I am probably not the only person to ponder the directive in I Thessalonians 5:17 that is often translated “Pray without ceasing.” Various other translations include, “Pray without omission,” “Pray regularly,” “Pray all the time” and “Never stop praying.” They all suggest continuity, consistency and a never-ending process. How is this possible? […]

Why Can’t We All Get Along?

By wvbaptist | February 13, 2020 | 0 Comments

February 12, 2020 Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures. I can imagine God watching His huge elephants and mighty tigers and thinking, “We need some contrast in this picture.” So He spoke into existence those tiny birds with wings that move faster than our eyes can follow. I have often wondered how they survive cold weather – […]

If Only It Could Be Reality

By wvbaptist | February 7, 2020 | 0 Comments

February 7, 2020 Two major concerns are on the mind of most humans: Where do I find happiness and fulfillment, and what happens to me when I die. The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians answers both of these questions and many others. He says that knowing Jesus Christ brings peace and purpose to our […]

Walk Smaller

By wvbaptist | January 29, 2020 | 0 Comments

January 29, 2020 The Family Circus comic strip on Monday showed a father and son walking in the snow. Dad was in the lead and the boy was trying to walk in his footsteps, which were a lot farther apart than the boy’s small legs could handle. “Walk smaller, Daddy! I’m trying to walk in […]

Eleventh Floor Perspective

By wvbaptist | January 22, 2020 | 0 Comments

January 22, 2020 Carol and I have become rather familiar with the Franz Cancer Center at Providence Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Medical appointments with the tremendous staff there, combined with chemo infusions and now immunotherapy treatments, have filled many hours over recent years. Less than two years ago, the Oncology Department moved to beautiful new […]

Unplugged

By wvbaptist | January 16, 2020 | 0 Comments

January 15, 2020 Several years ago, our church youth presented a musical called “Unplugged.” The idea was to eliminate all media and celebrate Christmas as much as possible like the original story. It was a delightful reminder of the simple beauty of the event. Recently, I had the opportunity to unplug from all media devices. […]

In God’s Waiting Room

By wvbaptist | January 8, 2020 | 0 Comments

January 8, 2020 Long before anyone talked about “mentoring,” Al Sanders, radio host for Biola, was doing that for me. He and his wife, Margaret, have been a constant Godly influence for Carol and me. We are so grateful for them. Now in their early 90’s, this note came recently from Al: “Margaret and I […]

Simeon’s Challenge

By wvbaptist | December 18, 2019 | 1 Comment

December 18, 2019 Pastor Dave Schutjer recently presented a Sunday message about Simeon – the man in Luke 2 who looked at baby Jesus and knew He was the Messiah. I was challenged in a new way as to the significance of this story and the example Simeon offers. Verse 26 tells us that the […]

Silent Appearance

By wvbaptist | December 11, 2019 | 0 Comments

December 11, 2019 A song says, “How silently, how silently the wondrous Gift is given.” Bethlehem was anything but silent the night Jesus was born into our world, but His appearance was amazingly quiet. The Bible talks about Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in the stable. Since it was nighttime, the animals were probably […]

Quiet Faith

By wvbaptist | December 4, 2019 | 0 Comments

December 4, 2019 God honors the faith of each of His children; however, some people have faith that seems to be more “noisy” than others. I say that with respect and reverence, because I admire people whose faith is known globally – like Corrie Ten Boom, Billy Graham and Joni Eareckson Tada. The sound of […]

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May 20, 2020 It feels strange, almost wrong, for me to ask this question: How could the Creator and Controller of the universe be held in captivity by it? I hope I am not dabbling in something inappropriate, but this has been on my mind. The confinement of lockdown is a familiar situation for all…

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Dark Cloud – Silver Lining

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Poder Increíble 

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Amazing Power

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