June 20, 2018 I have read two books recently about hospitality. One is called “Stranger God” and deals with the directive in Hebrews: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” The other is called “The Gospel Comes with a House Key” and suggests that […]
June 13, 2018 Ezra 3 records the Israelites celebrating as they finished rebuilding the foundation of the temple in Jerusalem. That beautiful building was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar when he conquered Jerusalem and took the people captive to Babylonia. As prophesied by Jeremiah, the Israelites were allowed to return to their land 70 years later. […]
June 6, 2018 I consider it a gift to live on a part of Planet Earth that has four definite seasons. The beauty of each one brings enjoyment, but they also provide reminders that our individual lives have seasons. Springtime is filled with buds and babies, and then summer arrives with foliage that provides shade […]
May 30, 2018 Most laws written nowadays involve many pages. A simple agreement for the purchase of an item often involves several pages of fine print and multiple signatures. When it comes to government contracts, which can include thousands of pages, I often wonder if anyone actually reads – and understands – what is involved. […]
May 23, 2018 The Garden of Eden must have been beautiful beyond our imagination. There was no hint of death and I am sure there were no weeds. The watering system was perfect and the atmosphere just right. It must have been pure delight for Adam and Eve. Fruit trees and vegetables have flowers that […]
May 16, 2018 While reading Second Kings 22, I was fascinated by the story of a good king who realized he was doing life without the Book of God’s Law. King Josiah had given orders to have workers repair the temple. In the course of fulfilling the directive, someone found the Book of the Law. […]
May 10, 2018 This coming Sunday is dedicated to all mothers. I have been thinking about the many people who will benefit from this special day and not all of them are mothers. The commercial world thrives on the sale of flowers, gifts and restaurant activity. Some mothers could easily feel used rather than honored. […]
May 2, 2018 I received a card recently with this title: “Prayer is the ultimate wireless connection.” While I readily admit to being technologically “limited,” I rely on it continually. Take away my smartphone, or OnStar in my car, and my schedule would be in trouble. Text communication is amazing. A message going from my […]
April 18, 2018 Our neighbor plays in a band and invited Carol and me to attend one of their concerts. There were many instruments, played by people ranging in age from young students to seniors. We arrived early and watched as the performers prepared for the event. The setting was confusing and rather noisy. It […]
April 12, 2018 Springtime in the Pacific Northwest offers a daily increase in natural beauty. Almost overnight, the trees add flowers and leaves. Birds are singing and building nests. People are anxious to get into the garden as they anticipate summer growth and fall harvest. George Beverly Shea sang about the wonder of sunset, sunrise, […]
April 4, 2018 The Book of Judges has a recurring statement: “There was no king in Israel and every man did what was right in his own eyes.” The book is a repetitive story of God’s people falling into sinful behavior, being disciplined by becoming servants to heathen neighbors, crying out to God for deliverance, […]
June 3, 2020 It was perhaps 18 years ago that a couple of people suggested I should write a weekly blog. I did not know what a “blog” was, but Ponder with Pastor Bill came out of that idea. It has been good for me to have this opportunity, and I hope it has been…
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…
May 13, 2020 Creator God gives us a statement of beauty and hope when He puts a silver lining around a dark cloud in the sky. He reminds us that the darkness is temporary and there is something more powerful than the cloud. It feels like our lives, our community and our world have a…
Meditación con el pastor Bill 6 de mayo de 2020 Sentado en mi silla de tratamiento esta semana frente a una ventana que me daba una vista para el Monte St. Helens, cubierto de nieve sobre un fondo azul cielo. Era una escena magnífica, y tuve mucho tiempo para disfrutarla y reflexionar sobre el significado…
May 6, 2020 My treatment chair this week faced a window that provided a frame for Mount St. Helens, covered with snow against a sky-blue background. It was a magnificent scene, and I had plenty of time to enjoy it and ponder the significance of that mountain. Prior to 1980, I called it “Mount Chrome…