PurposePoints: Musing Ministry & Misc. by Dr. James R. Brooks I am thankful for the context of my life encourages my faith. As we plan for Easter celebrations, I am mindful of the many ways my faith is inspired by my surroundings. Visions of flower covered cross and seasonal banners are a glimpses of my …
Community of Lent
by Dr. Brooks Lent provides a spiritual geography for our travel to resurrection. It is a practice as simple as one foot in front of the other. It is profound as God’s boundless love, like a horizon of sunrise on our soul. For some, Lenten reflections bring quests for mercy and forgiveness. Lent can be …
Next Steps
What about the other 167 hours of the week? The most important hour of each week for a Christian is worship. I am thankful that our church has been creative in celebrating worship safely during this pandemic. It is an hour of renewal, reconciliation and rejoicing! What about the other 167 hours of the week? …
Book Review: “Pilgrims with Credit Cards”
A pilgrim never steers another pilgrim wrong, right? With the recommendation from a member of the Portlandia Chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino, I purchased this book by Asifa Kanji. It was a great recommendation that I now share with you. I began this book most curious about the Camino del Norte. It is …
Continue reading "Book Review: “Pilgrims with Credit Cards”"
Book Review of “Shameless”
My experience of the journey of puberty included a sex education class at my church. It was taught by one of our ministers and a psychologist. That class was about as awkward as most of puberty. I am thankful that my parents and church helped me to include faith in the conversation about sexuality. In …
Are We Ready for Easter
Are we ready for Easter? This will be an Easter we will not soon forget. I am disappointed that much of the memory will be social distancing and the coronavirus epidemic. I worry about your health and safety, so we will live-stream worship for Easter. That still leaves each of us with the question ... …
Eyes Forward: a Lenten Sermon
Thankfulness
As a Christian, I claim my life as a thankful response to God's love and my communities' embrace. Today I penned more than a dozen thank you notes. I am thankful that most days I can pen at least three notes of such intent. Hoping you can as well. Hoping you have cause for thanksgiving... …
Oregon or Bust: Day 3
We have traveled from Salt Lake City, Utah through Boise, Idaho to Hines, Oregon. Having lived in the Midwest most of my life, a day plus of driving in high desert has been fascinating. The irrigated fields are a vibrant green contrast to the surrounding scrub. Entering Oregon, we drove through a range near Malheur …
Oregon or Bust: Day 2
Leaving Denver we were excited that our longest day was behind us and the Rocky Mountains were before us! What an amazing day! The peaks and tunnels, ski slopes and streams provided amazing visual stimulation. At a mountain lake we stopped and made a video invitation for the church in Salem. Leaving the Rock Mts, …
