Echo Worship
You are invited to attend the launch of Echo Worship on November 5th at 6:30 PM at The Chapel at 27132 SE Stark St. in Troutdale.
Echo Worship is more than an event; it is a movement toward God. At the Chapel we often hear conversations about wanting more of God. Many of us hear a call from God, a call to come in closer, to spend time in his presence, to quiet the noise and listen to his voice. Many of us long to grow in the ways that we express our worship and devotion to Him.
Echo Worship is a response to those needs, created to provide a setting for us to be purposeful in our attentiveness to the Holy Spirit by exploring new avenues of in-depth worship through song, art and prayer.
We are excited to share this time with as many God-seekers as we can bring together from our community. Please come, invite your friends, co-workers and neighbors. Come, draw close to the Lord with us! There will be a free will offering taken.
Kathy Rice
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Stockholm Syndrome
While celebrating our 44th Anniversary in June, Wayne and I were privileged to attend Sisters Community Church, where my parents attend, on Father's Day. The pastor, Mike Silva, shared a powerful message, not just to Father's, but to us all.
He talked about Stockholm Syndrome, the way your mind can be swayed over time, when you are kidnapped, to the point where you become attached to your captor. If you remember what happened to Patty Hearst, when she was captured and then committed a crime with those who captured her.
He likened this phenomenon to the way the world can start to seep into our lives over time. Where we start accepting the world view over what the Bible tells us and how it can change us and weaken us. Pastor Silva said that the devil only has 3 plays in his play book (Lust of the Eye, Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life). Those are what he uses to attack us and obviously, since the world began, it has worked. If we are aware of what he is doing, we can be victorious over his attacks.
He asked us "What sank the Titanic?" My thought was "The Iceberg, of course!" Wrong! It was the water! If you keep the water out of the boat, it won't sink! Same way with the world.... if you can keep it out, you will live a more victorious life. Of course we have to be full of God's word, and his Holy Spirit, not the world.
He gave a slingshot to every man there, to put in a prominent place in his home or office to remind them that they are the spiritual leaders in their homes and we are under attack from the enemy of our souls!
Let's keep the boat afloat!
Becky Buckelew
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TREE
Almost 17 years ago we moved into a newly constructed townhouse. A maple tree was planted on the sidewalk in front of each of the four units in our development. The trees started at about 10 feet tall. During the first few years we all watered our individual trees, nurturing them to take root. In time each tree took hold, relying upon surrounding soil and rain to provide nourishment. As well, we solicited the service of an arborist to prune and trim our tree several times throughout the years.
Our tree grew and Grew and GREW, eventually to the height of 32 feet versus 25 feet for her sibling trees! As well, the diameter of her trunk measured twice the size of the others! Squirrels ran on her limbs and birds nested in her branches. Summer leaves provided shade and autumn foliage delighted senses. We loved our tree! However, she began to disrupt the sidewalk in front of our house, cracking and raising the cement and curb. Our beloved tree, in her unruly growth, had “outgrown her britches,” the boundaries in which she was meant to be contained. And, this caused a hazard to her surroundings and those who might pass by. Therefore, with sadness we decided she must be cut down.
Several weeks ago I watched as the arborists skillfully destroyed our maple and replaced her with a 12 foot paperback maple, a slow growing variety. First the crew sawed her trunk to the ground and ran her through a chipper. Next, they ground into her roots with a grinder, destroying her life. OUCH! The empty space once inhabited by her created a cavity to fill with rich soil to plant the replacement tree. After this process was completed the workers spread a layer of chips on top, chips created from the old, sharing essence with the new!
God spoke to me during this observation. He said, “I am a God of second chances. I forgive 70 x 7 times! Your cherished and beautiful maple became unruly despite My nurturance. With your help I watered, pruned, and attempted to guide her growth, but she became wild. Now, I must cut her down in order to replace her with new life. I will grow her within My boundaries and she will have beautiful purpose if she will give her roots to Me.”
And, I thought, “If God will do this for a tree, how much more will He do for one made in His image?” And, I thanked My Heavenly Father for His personal message, delivered at just the right time. That’s how He works!
(Jesus speaking to Peter) “My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And, now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are.” (Matthew 16:17-18, Message Version)
Susan Whitney
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