Our Forgetful God

What a great day! I thoroughly enjoyed church today. We had low attendance two weeks ago, and then had to cancel the service last week, all because of the weather. And the weather didn't really improve much before Christmas Eve, so our service was... I can only say intimate. All that made today even better. We had everyone back, and the enthusiasm was contagious!

As much as I enjoy our worship every Sunday, I really got into putting together and leading worship this morning. Since I'm not leading worship regularly, my throat is really out of shape. During rehearsal, it felt tight and I couldn't reach some of the notes. But what a difference 90 minutes and the presence of the Holy Spirit makes. I felt like I could have sang all day.

I had also felt like I'd left something unfinished, since Christmas was three days ago and I still hadn't preached part four of our Advent series: Christmas Grace. Well, it's not unfinished any more (is that a double negative?). This morning's teaching, only a week late, was Christmas Grace Means God Won't Forget Us.

We read in Isaiah 49:14-16 - Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."

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"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget [as unlikely as that is], I will not forget you. See, I have [carved] you on the palms of my hands."

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But God is forgetful about one thing.

I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)

God forgets your sin, but he'll never forget you!

Meet Lawrence

This is Lawrence. Lawrence is part of our church family, and he is an exceptional person. While this isn't really my story to tell, Lawrence gave me permission to share.

During the week leading up to Christmas, Portland endured its worst winter storm (actually a series of storms) in 40 years. Most of us hunkered down in our homes, keeping warm and venturing out as little as possible. Some didn't have a home in which to hide, so the local homeless shelters received as many people as they could.

There were, however, some who were turned away from the shelters. The Union Gospel Mission had room for people, but not for the pets belonging to the poorest of the poor. While they would have been happy to give beds, they had no means of housing animals. Unfortunately, taking their pets to the animal shelter would probably mean losing them forever. Anyone needing shelter who was not willing to abandon his/her pet, had no choice but to remain outside in the coldest weather in 5 years.

That's where Lawrence enters in. While most people weren't aware of the problem or, if they were, just put it out of their minds, Lawrence put love into action. Remembering 3 homeless men who died from exposure during the winter 0f 2007-2008, he contacted PetSmart's national headquarters, made them aware of the problem and asked them to help. PetSmart very graciously donated 8 pet crates, food and pet accessories (collars, pet toys, etc.). On Tuesday (December 23rd) Lawrence enlisted some help to pick up the crates and supplies and deliver them to Union Gospel Mission.

As of early evening, the mission had already received three homeless men and their dogs. If it hadn't been for Lawrence's intervention and PetSmart's generosity, these guys would have slept outdoors in the freezing temperatures. If you haven't yet figured out the magnitude of Lawrence's choice to make a difference, you need to know that a Eugene, Oregon homeless man died that same evening, from exposure to the elements.

He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker. (Proverbs 17:5) The church cannot rest while the poor are freezing to death. The church has to do something, and this week Lawrence reminded me that I'm the church.

What are you going to do about it?

We Christmas Eved

We had a low turnout for our Candles, Carols and Christ service tonight, but I'm glad we went ahead with it. The roads were rutted with ice and slush, and the side streets were still snow covered. But those present really appreciated it. We even had guests! A mother and her approximately 9-year old daughter, who normally attend another church, came to our Christmas Eve service because their's was cancelled. I'm glad we were there for them.

To Christmas Eve or Not to Christmas Eve

Hey, guys, we have a winter weather advisory until 10 p.m., and a winter storm warning until 9 p.m. From what I understand we're supposed to get 1-2 more inches of snow today, before giving way to rain.

I'm trying to decide if the weather warrants cancelling our Christmas Eve Candles, Carols and Christ service. It's supposed to stay above freezing long enough for people to get home, but even rain on top of all this snow and ice can be treacherous.

I take this call very seriously. I'm raring to go (or is it rearing to go - someone has to tell me the derivation of that phrase), but I don't want anyone getting hurt trying to get there, or while they're driving home. I hope things are clear cut enough that I can make the call by noon.

I'm planning to take communion to some of our seniors this afternoon. I really enjoy doing that. Here's hoping the weather cooperates!

Snow Day (Week?)

We're enjoying a snow day. Actually my kids had 5 snow days in a row last week, making their Christmas break three weeks instead of two. On Sunday the 14th, it started snowing at 7:30 a.m. cutting our attendance in half. Then it basically snowed all week long, and we really got dumped on this past Saturday and Sunday. I'm always reluctant to cancel church, but in this case it was basically decided for me.

We woke up this morning to somewhere around 8 inches on the ground, with more coming down. Final total would be about 9 inches. That's my best guess anyway.

Chains or studded snow tires are required everywhere in our county. I thought that meant that I could drive as long as I didn't get stuck, but I've been warned that the police could pull me over just for driving. Bummer. It's kind of fun driving in this stuff... not that I would know that.

This is good weather for catching up on some reading, and for cleaning off the DVR. If the Steelers had just won yesterday, I wouldn't have a thing to whine about.

Woo Hoo!

Okay, I can't say that; it makes me feel like a chick. Just let it be known that I'm jazzed! Actually that's not much better... about two things!

First, I shared about getting my laptop worked on a few months ago. I was pumped at the time, and had great expectations for better performance. What I didn't realize was that somehow in the process, the computer tech apparently deleted the driver for my wireless card. I'm not a computer geek, so I might be saying this all wrong, but whatever the reason, I haven't had wireless access since. At work I can plug in to a DSL line, and I'm fine, but at home my only choice was wireless, so I just went without.

Today a friend started poking around in my computer, diagnosed the problem, downloaded a new driver, and (since we're snowed in) here I am, sitting in my easy chair, blogging. How cool is that? I've moved into the 20th century! As they say, one century at a time.

Second, I'm starting a new blog: 365 Forum! 365 Forum is geared toward Aloha Church of God members, but we're not limiting participation to just members of our church. This is a through the Bible type group study. Everyone from ACOG has been (or will be) given a The Bible in 365 card, which gives us all a framework for reading through the Bible in one year. Follow the above link to learn more. If you're not a part of ACOG, email me, and I'll send you a reading schedule.

365: 1 Thessalonians (Day 345)

You are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will take pride in when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

I guess it's natural as the year winds down and Christmas approaches to take personal inventory. This year, more than anything, I'm catching visions of people from my past... people who have made a difference in my life, and some for whom (hopefully) I've made a difference in theirs.

I think about Evelyn Musolff, who was my Sunday School teacher when I was probably about 8 years old. I will never forget her. Or Larry Best, who was also my Sunday School teacher when I was a pre-teen, and who took me and a friend trout fishing on opening day. I think of Beverly Kerstetter, my piano teacher, who confessed to me years later that she sat next to the piano bench every week as I played, praying that God would use my music for his kingdom. And of course there was my mom and dad. From my mom I learned a subtle lesson of how to persevere when things aren't going my way, and in a more overt way, my dad was the greatest spiritual influence in my life.

This Thessalonians passage reminds me that bank accounts, fancy cars, media broadcasts and publishing deals are not how I measure my impact as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I stand before God, my reward will be Christ, and the changed lives of those connected to him because I was available when God called me, and when they needed me.

Year of Transition (3 of 3)

We waited forever for tomatoes this year. I don't think our plants had enough sun, which delayed them from turning red. But once they ripened, it was all worth it.

These are two shots from Whitehall Camp & Conference Center, home of Western PA Ministries of the Church of God. The shot above is of the swimming and fishing lakes on a misty morning. That's where Ben spent a good part of the summer lifeguarding. The picture below is of the barn where the youth worship services are held during camp meeting and youth camps.

The remaining six pix are from our cross-country move in October. The next picture is (I think) the only one in this collection taken with a real camera. This is the birthplace of Henry's Fork in eastern Idaho. The river springs (literally) full force right out of these rocks. The water is crystal clear and the water plants are absolutely beautiful. I'm told moose think so, too, but we didn't see any this trip. Some good friends opened their cabin to us just a few miles from this spot.

The final five are of Yellowstone - one of our favorite places on the planet. First, the Gibbon River. We were interested to see the dead trees still standing from the lightning-sparked fires of twenty years ago. We were here just after those fires, and the place looks much better.

Above: One of the beautiful and seemingly bottomless hot springs. Below: This mountain highway always impresses me.

Above: The road to Mammoth Hot Springs seems to vanish into this field of bolders. Below: These are the terraces of Mammoth Spring. On the one hand, the sulfur fumes and the apparent barrenness make me think of what a physical hell would be like. On the other hand, I see God's artistry even here. How can God make something so beautiful out of something so fowl? I guess that's his specialty.

And that's a fitting place to stop. We are anticipating good things for the future. Who knows what my favorite pix of 2009 will capture?

A Mid-Summer Night's Dream

Congratulations to Alissa Degman, Kenny Degman and Kevin Gade who rocked in Aloha High School's presentation of William Shakespeare's A Mid-Summer Night's Dream. Janelle and I attended the Saturday afternoon matinee performance, and we were so proud of our Aloha Church of God youth.

Guys, you rock!

This is Alissa (above) and Kenny (left) and Kevin (right) below.

Year of Transition (2 of 3)

This is a second installment of some of my favorite pictures from the year. And let me remind you, these were all taken with my camera phone. These first two pictures are from Cook Forest again. Above are some steps cut from blocks of Western Pennsylvania sandstone, which is abundant in these woods. Below is a bridge over Brown's Run on the Brown's Run Trail (I wonder how they chose that name).

Below is my favorite picture of all time. I have it as the wallpaper on my phone and laptop. This is exiting the Rockland Tunnel on the Allegheny River Bike Trail. It makes me think of eternity.

These two pictures are from our last Pirates outing in late August. Above is the Roberto Clemente Bridge named for one of my boyhood heroes, who played for the Pirates from 1954-1972 (18 seasons!), earned 12 Gold Glove Awards and was selected as an all-star 12 times. Clemente was killed in a plane crash while en route to deliver aid to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. The bridge is closed to automobiles and opened to foot traffic for every game. We were at the game especially because Janelle and her Sweet Adeline's chorus were singing the National Anthem. That was an exciting evening. Below is Pittsburgh at night from PNC Park Stadium.

These shots are of Will (above - 13) and Ben (below - 16) at Seaside, Oregon, on Monday, September 8th. We had an extra day on our candidating trip, unlimited mileage on our rental car, and we had a great day at the coast. I realize I am especially blessed to have a wonderful wife and two great boys who love me.

More Seaside Beach below:

And this final shot (for today) was taken while waiting for our evening connecting flight from Newark to Pittsburgh on the return trip the very next day. Our lengthy flight from Portland to Newark was delayed because of east coast thunder storms. I just enjoyed the colors and shapes in this shot. Getting seated on that final flight was the first time I was able to relax all day... even though I still hate to fly.

Year of Transition - (1 of 3)

This has been a year of transition for us. This time last year we were dreaming about how cool it would be to live in the Portland area, and here we are! As the year winds down, I was reminiscing with some pictures. These are some of my favorites from 2008. For the most part, these are all taken with my camera phone (I remember thinking, What a waste! Who needs a phone in his camera?) I'll share these in 3 installments, 9 pix at a time in roughly chronological order.

The above picture is from our Whitehall cabin porch last March. We saw more snow during March and April at Whitehall than we had the previous 9 years (that might be a little bit of an exaggeration, but not much).

Pennsylvania dogwoods (also from the porch of our cabin).

Tess is a pretty girl (and she knows it), and I think she might have a little crush on me. Will (13) can't remember life BT (before Tess). We've had her since she was a puppy. She's the dog we always dreamed of... even if it did take her about 5 years to become that dog. Maybe there's the kernel of a sermon in there somewhere.

These two shots (above and below) are from Highland Hammock State Park in central Florida. I traveled to Florida to spend some time with my mom in May. She was in pretty rough shape from Thanksgiving of 2007 through the spring, but she's doing better now. She turned 87 last month!

These two shots (above and below again) are Cook Forest (near Clarion, PA), one of my favorite places in the world. I've climbed the firetower since I was a little kid, and the rocks below are another favorite play place. (I don't remember playing on them when I was a kid, but I sure enjoy it now!)

This is our adopted dog Sparky. We brought her into our family when her long-time owner passed away. She's supposed to be the same age as Tess (11 now), but she acts a lot older. She can't hear very well, and sometimes she acts confused. Was I talking about Sparky? ...or me? After a haircut, we call her Yoda. Can you tell why?

We also call Ben Yoda after a haircut... no, not really. Ben had his first job last summer at Whitehall Camp & Conference Center. His main duties were serving as a lifeguard, but he also did more than his share of weed whacking and dish washing. It was a good experience. Now we're 2600 miles away from there, and we all miss our good friends at Western Pennsylvania Ministries of the Church of God.

More to come...

365: 1 Corinthians 10, 11 and 12 (Day 333)

Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person, for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7)

Paul reminds us that everyone has a gift.

Here's the thing: the gifts of the Spirit are not for us. In other words, your gifts aren't for your benefit; they're for me, and my spiritual gifts are not for my gratification; they're for you. To really be fulfilled, I must share my gift with the church.

There are lots of people who can preach better than me. There are lots of people who can sing better. There are lots of people who can write better music. There are those who are more discerning, more merciful, and more faith-filled, but when God put my spiritual gift mix together, he made me just the way he wants me, and I'm the best me there is in the whole world.

But even in being the best me in the whole world, I'm still falling short, because no matter how good a me I am, I'm not you. We were not meant to work in isolation, but in community. No one has every gift; not everyone has the same gift; but everyone has a gift. It is in joining our gifts together, uniting for a common purpose, that we function as the church God intended.

As we approach Christmas 2008, what's your gift to the Body?

A Foggy December Night in Portland

Christmas at Aloha Christian Pre-School

Last night was the first of four Christmas programs for our Aloha Christian Pre-School. It was a blast. First off, we were delayed in starting because a couple of our kids (Read: parents) were running late. Then, just as we were ready to start, a little girl had a nose bleed, which needed some first-aid. Then it was time!

I've never seen so many cameras and camera-phones in use at one time before! And the kids were so precious. When you think about it, you can't really lose at something like this. Either the kids do great, and everyone is thrilled with how great they did. Or, they don't do so great, but they look so cute no one cares!

After the program, Santa made an appearance, allowing the children to present their requests. It was a fun night. One down; three to go.

Grace Came Down at Christmas

Almost two weeks ago I introduced our Advent theme for this year: Christmas Grace. I also included lyrics that takes four weeks of sermons/teachings and distills them down into one song. We're singing this song every Sunday as our Advent theme. I wrote Christmas Grace a few years ago while I was pastoring in Pennsylvania. I've written many songs, but this is one of my favorites.

For the recording, I just sang through the song in one take, so don't expect Tony Bennett. My heartfelt thanks to Bryan Bates (Leader for our Multimedia Ministry Team), who did the recording work, and who helped me make it available on The Masked Evangel. Check out Bryan's blog here.

Enjoy... oh, yeah, and Merry Christmas. And now for your listening pleasure (once you click on the link, it will take just a minute for the music to start, but it's worth the wait): Christmas Grace.

Lost and Found

I wrote a day or two ago about my Masters Degree being returned to me by a Good Samaritan who found the briefcase in which it was contained lying alongside the road in Missouri.

This is not the first time I've had a miraculous return. [1]

When I was 9 years old, I attended Junior Camp at a Church of God camp ground on the shore of Chautauqua Lake in western New York State. I had received a black KJV zipper Bible as a Christmas gift from my parents just a year or two earlier, and at the end of the week, somehow I returned home without my Bible.

Fast forward a little more than eight years to my freshman year at Anderson College (age 17). How this ever happened, I don't know, but as I was meeting people, a girl said, Your name is Tim Irwin?, and a week or two later she showed up with my long lost Bible. Apparently she had some connection to the camp counselor, who found my Bible, but didn't know how to find me. So eight years later, and 350 miles away from home, I was reunited with my zipper Bible and it's on the shelf next to me as I write (I lost it 41 years ago and it was returned 33 years ago). I gave several Bibles to a Bible drive a few weeks ago, but I couldn't part with that one.

Reminds me of Luke 15. God is really good at finding lost things and lost people.

[1] If you insist, you can probably believe these two events were coincidental, or even lucky. Whether or not one sees the hand of God in such things says a lot more about the person than the event itself. I choose to believe God orchestrated these details to both build my faith and assure me of his extravagant love, because I happen to think God loves me and cares for me more than I can fathom.

Another Chapter in the Moving Saga

We arrived in Oregon almost two months ago. Since we got here, I haven't seen my Masters Degree. I hadn't gotten it framed yet, so it was packed snuggly in a briefcase that I was hoping would protect it from the rigors of moving. I was pretty sure it was either in Janelle's car or my truck, and not on the moving truck, but I haven't seen it. I've been thinking about getting a couple things framed, and my seminary degree is one of them. I've got my office set up to the place it feels like my office, except that there's a blank space on one wall screaming for my Masters Degree. I've consoled myself with the thought that the attache case containing my Masters Degree is probably somewhere in a closet... it's got to be... right?

I got a phone call this afternoon. A gentleman found the briefcase, containing my Masters Degree lying alongside the road in Warrenton, Missouri. It was just down the street from where we traded Janelle's car (read the epic tale here and here). Apparently, as we drove out of the dealership with our new Dodge Charger and my hastily reloaded 20th century Mazda B2500 pickup, my Masters Degree bearing briefcase bounced to the curb without my knowledge.

The briefcase was picked up by an employee of a car dealership (not where we bought Janelle's new car, but the next one on the strip). He ran into a man who works with Child Evangelism Fellowship, and asked if he might have any way of finding the owner of a briefcase marked Anderson University School of Theology. The Good Samaritan accepted the challenge. He looked through the briefcase contents and found enough information to call Western Pennsylvania Ministries of the Church of God in Emlenton, PA, who were surprised at the phone call but kind enough to give the man my cell number. He called me today, and my degree is coming home!

I was so shocked at the phone call that I neglected to write down his name, but as soon as my briefcase arrives in the mail, I'll give him a shout out here. For now I guess the best I can do is give accolades to Child Evangelism Fellowship. Check out their web site.

I'm smiling ear to ear as I anticipate getting this package in the mail, getting the degree framed and on my wall. After all, I worked hard for it. That will complete the move-in.

I've often given God credit for how amazingly he cared for me and my family over the time we were searching for a new ministry assignment. We feel blessed to be in Aloha, OR, and now we bask in just one more token of God's love in the return of my degree.

C'mon, God!

Tony Campolo at Warner Pacific

I'm excited! This morning, our youth pastor Garth Hamilton and I are driving over to Warner Pacific College to hear Tony Campolo in chapel. Tony is one of the best, and most difficult, speakers around. I don't mean he's hard to get along with, or a spiritual prima donna; it's just that the things he says and writes cause me to wrestle with things I've previously taken for granted... that kind of difficult.

I'll try to give you an update later. Have a great day! I love Portland!