unplanned detours
As I write these words I should be on a basketball court with a group of neighbor youth, giving instruction and encouragement, refereeing games, and building relationships. At least, that […]
razor wire on a cloudy day
Razor wire crowns a barbed wire fence in Portland’s central Eastside industrial area near the eastern foot of the Ross Island Bridge. It poses a lethal-looking hazard for any person […]
when the missional honeymoon ends
I knew this period would arrive. I’ve been here before. Since returning to my church and re-engaging the neighborhood I’ve enjoyed a honeymoon period. It officially concluded tonight. In a […]
acoustic connections in the coffee house
Last night I sat with family, friends, and strangers in Cottage House Coffee shop in Newberg, Oregon. My nephew, Trevor Woods, performed a solo acoustic guitar and vocal concert featuring […]
thirty years later
I’m sitting in Shari’s Restaurant in Newberg, Oregon. The Salmon dinner with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables was delicious. Thank you for asking. Looking out the window, I see sights […]
missional laughter
I see them as I pull my dirty ten year-old Honda Civic into the church parking lot. Two high school boys shooting hoops in our backlot. I grin. It’s a […]
Hooping it Up in the Margins
It was the second session of our Spring/Summer basketball season in the neighborhood. Six boys showed up at first. Not enough for full court five-on-five. So one of our long-time […]
Praying for Boston
It happened again. Another tragedy. Two bombs detonated near the finish line of the 117th Boston Marathon. Carnage and heartbreak. Heroism in the face of cruel cowardice. A deluge of […]
180
Last Saturday, my church began a neighborhood children’s ministry outreach called 180, Makin’ The U-Turn. It is full of high energy music, dancing, games, puppetry, teaching, bible memory work, relationship-building, […]
The Fremont Bridge
I love bridges. I enjoy looking at them, driving them, and photographing them. I especially like to explore perspectives we usually pass over in order to achieve the iconic shots […]
