The Abbey

A new beginning...

2010-03-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a fresh start. Unfortunately, in todays world, we are seldom actually given a fresh start.Today I began my new job as Senior Pastor at Pullman Foursquare Church. I spent my day reading budgets, building furniture, meeting staff and unpacking books. As I was unpacking I realized something: much of what I packed with me was junk! I packed three quarter used notepads

Waiting...

2010-03-01T15:23:00.000-08:00

The space between where we will be and where we have been is a difficult place. It’s a blank space between the lines filled with interminable waiting. I’m in that waiting place right now, between the lines of my story, one foot here and one foot there, and I can’t seem to overcome the sense of anticipation that I feel. To put it frankly and succinctly: waiting sucks. So

Just one thing...

2010-02-23T13:43:00.000-08:00

So, for the last few weeks I’ve been engaged in a study of the book, “Irresistible Revolution,” by Shane Claibourn, with a few guys from church. This is a great book, and I highly recommend it – though, if you read it I would caution you, it could mess you up! This morning’s discussion was quite disturbing… in a good way. Shane was discussing the idea of following, really following, Jesus, and

Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes!

2010-02-16T16:11:00.000-08:00

Many of you now know, but for those of you who do not, I am going to be having a little change of scenery in the next month or so. It was announced on Sunday here at Simpson that I have been posted to the position of Sr. Pastor of Pullman Foursquare Church. This change has come as much of a surprise to me as it has to many of you. I wasn’t looking for a job and was completely taken off guard

Walking the Labyrinth

2010-01-28T15:02:00.000-08:00

Walking the Labyrinth…I’m on fire! Not physically of course – how could I be typing if I was on fire? No, what I mean is, spiritually speaking,I am in a place of deep passion for, and experience of God’s presence. When it comes to God I feel… well… fiery!To some of you, this way of being is far from foreign. For other, I might as well be talking about what it feels like to be an amoeba – it’s

Toasted Jesus

2010-01-25T16:48:00.000-08:00

While doing some research for an upcoming message series I ran across this picture. Jesus on toast! No, this is not the latest dish du jure at a fancy-shmancy restaurant. Someone actually found the image of the Son of God on their perfectly browned, cheap white bread, breakfast, or so they believe.It seems that lately there have been a large number of Jesus sightings on food items ranging from

A homeless person in my office...

2010-01-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

Note: This is a very raw, uncorrected, not pre-meditated, post – that is happening to me right this moment. I have not had much time to think this through - so my writing will be reactionary. My opinions and actions are subject to change. ---------------------------------- At this moment there is a homeless person sitting, asleep, in the church waiting room, looking

My story - pt. 6, Being shaped

2010-01-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

The final installment of my spiritual pilgrimage... the break between this post and last is a bit rough, so you may want to re-read the the end of the last just for the flow of thought! Feel free to comment on this post, or in response to the whole story. - Jamie -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The

Jesus knocks over a fence.

2010-01-14T15:31:00.000-08:00

I find it interesting to look back at this formative event (cancer - see previous posts), now twelve years past. I see the angry and confused young man sitting in his apartment in complete spiritual devastation and feel sadness and excitement for him simultaneously. The years to come would be filled with healing, self-discovery and a foundational reimagining of Christian faith. Sister Wendy

My story pt. 4 - And the walls came uh-tumbling down...

2010-01-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

Note: For those of you who didn't quite get my two column idea - this should flesh it out a bit more. That's the trouble with posting in pieces! Please, read and respond. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences! - JamieI entered college full of life and a desire to serve God. I filled my course schedule with ministry classes and spent most of my time serving in

My Story - pt. 3, following the rules.

2009-12-21T12:41:00.000-08:00

Note to all mysterious Internet beings: If you are reading this, you might want to read parts 1 and 2 first - it really helps! Also, please take an opportunity to become something more than a mysterious internet being by responding - then at least you won't be mysterious anymore. If you want you can even do it anonymously and remain mysterious!Along with this dual life,

My Story - pt. 2, Life Words.

2009-12-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

Let me explain last weeks post a little more. I grew up in a conservative “Evangelical” home in the great state of Alaska. From the time I was in third grade (about a year after seeing “The Dark Crystal”) my family went to church every Sunday at our beautiful stained glass and steepled Sothern Baptist Church. At some point this church changed pastors, and the incoming

My story part 1. As promised

2009-12-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

My story is not a new story. Thousands upon thousands of pages have been inked, and sentences carefully crafted, to tell similar stories through books, scripts and songs. Gallons upon gallons of paint have been applied to countless canvases to express the parts of the story that words cannot explain. My story is the human story of the journey toward wholeness; the journey

Story Telling...

2009-11-18T10:40:00.000-08:00

Recently I applied to George Fox seminary to continue my education (and was accepted, no applause please.) As part of the application process I was asked to write a paper describing “My Spiritual Pilgrimage.” As simple as this might sound (I mean, hey, a pastor should be able to articulate his spirituality, right?), the process turned out to be rather difficult. I started the project no less

Christmas in July or Snow

2009-07-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

Last winter I was sitting on my couch at home and watching the snow lazily drift down from the gray clouds above. This is one of my four favorite times of year; winter. There is a certain cleanness that comes from the white snow. A sense that the dirty world has been disinfected. I know snow is a odd thing to write about in July, it’s just that I find it funny how we

2008-10-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

Icons - sacred images painted by people hundreds of years ago are finding new life. In our sacred space here at the Abbey a great cloud of witness is gathered around the room in the form of the Iconographic work of Deborah Anderson. We recently invited Deborah to share her work and passion with us and what a treat it was!Mrs. Anderson shared a few thoughts Saturday and Sunday that stuck with me

Reforming Reformation

2008-08-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

This comment was left in response to my previous blog, Tradition! I didn't want anyone to miss it, so here it is as a post. - JamieWhen I think of "tradition" I have a mixed reaction. On the one hand having tradition leaves me feeling comfortable with the familiar. Some things in my Christian experience have continued to nourish me and draw me closer to who God is- i.e. quiet prayer,

Tradition!

2008-08-07T10:41:00.001-07:00

This is the one time I wish I could insert music for my title – Tradition! Tradition! Tradition is perhaps the best thing the mainline church has to offer of community. Tradition is hip – old is new – candles are cool! This is obviously a trend in ascetics and trends are just that – trendy. But, this is our opportunity to make faith relevant to the community around us

The enemy of hope...

2008-07-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

What do we need for the church of today to survive into the future? Is it better pastors; more production; better music; more comfortable pew’s? These things may make up part of the answer, but the thing they have in common is the one thing we need most – Hope. If the church is going to thrive in a new world it has to have hope that it can be of consequence there. Hope

A chance not to be missed...

2008-06-30T14:49:00.000-07:00

Historically, every 500 years the world changes. The reformation, the printing press, the industrial revolution all occurred in one of these 500-year cycles. Now we sit on the cusp of yet another world revolution – and the question I ask myself is; “What place will the Christian faith have in this new world?” “Will it survive?” The answer I believe is, yes! Emphatically

Why are you here?

2008-05-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

Why are you here? Conversation is important (see past blog!). However the content of the conversation is just as important, if not more so. The same is true of the church. Church is important, but the content of the church is more so. What do we talk about in church? Words like core values, mission, and vision fly around like bats in a cave. Goals, planning, circles,

Conversation - Talk amongst yourselves!

2008-05-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

How often have you said something like, "hey, let's get together for coffee." Or "let's grab a quick one at the pub later." These phrases, on the surface, are about having a drink (adult or otherwise) with a friend - however, the underlying message, the not-so-hidden meaning is "let's sit down and have a conversation." "Conversation is the verbalization of concepts

Sacred Space

2008-04-29T11:43:00.000-07:00

The conversation is just getting started, so I'm going to leave this post up for a while longer. Feel free to agree, disagree or feel confused - just feel something! Please leave a comment and join the conversation. Coming soon... Summer Dates, Posting on conversation, Community Groups and cool action figures of Jamie (well maybe not.) Imagine We live in a world where