Tag Archives: Jesus

New Book Just Out

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Finding Security and Christ’s Presence in Rough Waters

What if, in a moment when so many hunger for real spiritual connection, there is a way through the chaos of family systems, broken relationships, and the old habits that work against our hearts? “Rough Waters: A Prayerful Guide to Enjoying Security in Jesus” is more than a book—it’s a gentle invitation to begin a new journey of healing and transformation for anyone who finds themselves weary of striving, longing for authenticity in faith, or struggling to connect with Jesus through storms that life brings.

You might find yourself trying to pray, trying to hope, yet old patterns of anxiety, fractured relationships, or family baggage keep rising up. This book meets readers at the very place where faith feels fragile and offers—step by step—a pathway from isolation and spiritual performance toward genuine connection. The chapters will guide you from running for refuge amid life’s hard places, to rooting your trust more deeply in Christ, with practical rhythms, honest reflection questions, and real tools for spiritual formation in community. Here you’ll discover how to move from insecure attachments and idols toward abiding, fruitful assurance in Christ that endures through every storm.

If you’re ready for transformation—not just information—this is an invitation to pause, breathe, and explore what it means to be anchored and secure in Jesus. You’re welcome to download and read the full PDF here and, if you want to support the journey or give it as a gift, pick up a copy on Amazon. Today is a perfect moment to begin moving toward healing, hope, and the joy of Jesus as your true anchor.

Let’s start the journey—no pretending needed, only honesty and a willingness to begin.

As mentioned all my books are free on PDF and Rough Waters is no exception.

Join the Journey — Free Spiritual Formation Series and Weekly Community

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After much thought and feedback, I’m excited to announce a new way to engage with the Spiritual Formation Series! Not only can you download all three books as free PDFs, but we’ll also be exploring the content together, one chapter at a time, each week right here on the blog. There is one more in the works. My hope is to foster a rhythm of reflection, conversation, and growth — and you’re invited to participate, share, and bring others along.

Here’s What’s New

  • Free Downloads: All books in the Spiritual Formation Series are available as PDFs for you to download, read, and share freely.
  • Weekly Chapter Journey: Each week, I’ll post a new chapter from the series, along with prompts for reflection and group discussion. Whether you’re reading solo or gathering friends at home or a coffee shop, you can join in at your own pace.
  • Active Participation: I encourage you to leave comments, share your insights, and invite others to join the conversation. Let’s build a community that supports one another on the journey.

How to Get Involved

  • Download the Books: Grab the PDFs right here on the site (see below for details on how to access them).
  • Subscribe or Check Back Weekly: Follow along as we release a new chapter each week. Use the prompts for personal journaling or spark conversations in your group.
  • Share and Invite: Know someone who would benefit? Pass along the blog, the PDFs, or invite them to join your group.

Download ROW Against the Flow

ROW Kindle Final SeriesDownload

Download Living Waters

Living WatersDownload

Download Still Waters

Still WatersDownload

Get the Spiritual Formation Series on Amazon

The complete series is available in both Kindle and Paperback editions. Buy on Amazon

Available worldwide. Choose your preferred format on the Amazon page.

Do You Follow?

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Nothing shakes me up quite like the words of Jesus. I’ve embarked on a teaching series through the Gospel of Matthew (The first book in the New Testament) and invite you to join me.

Question for you: Is a Gospel the same as the Gospel? Consider the following from britannica.com: “The English word gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon godspell (“good story”). The classical Greek word euangelion means “a reward for bringing of good news” or the “good news” itself. In the emperor cult particularly, in which the Roman emperor was venerated as the spirit and protector of the empire, the term took on a religious meaning: the announcement of the appearance or accession to the throne of the ruler.”

Is a Gospel the same as the Gospel? We’ll see in the Gospel according to Matthew (formerly named Levi and one of Jesus’ apostles) that a Gospel is a biography and that within the story of Jesus we find meaning to our story. The Good News comes to us that the rule and reign of the Creator God on Earth has begun again in King Jesus’ “accession to the throne.” The Gospel is the announcement that God has done a reconciling work in Jesus (life, death, burial, resurrection) to bring us into the kingdom as heirs and partners in his work.

Sometimes Jesus is hard to understand and sometimes Jesus is hard to follow. The Gospel of Matthew has a theme running through it about Hearing and Responding and actually the Hebrew concept of hearing includes responding especially with the Great News that the Kingdom of God has arrived on earth again. Do You Follow?

Listen in on the first teaching “New Beginnings” on iTunes here or from the Issaquah Christian Church website here.

Spice up your Weekend?!?

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At Issaquah Christian Church we have a roadside sign on which we can display text to the traffic on Issy-Hobart.  Pondering this responsibility and opportunity, I often wonder what we are trying to accomplish. Are we advertising to consumers? Are we like a kiosk at the fair or a for truck at a market with just a little sumpin’ to spice up your weekend? Add a little bit of church to your Sunday! Isn’t it weird to think that the point of going to church services is to add some flavor to your life?

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First of all, we are the church (or we aren’t). That means that we do not go to church (the called out assembly of God in Christ). We are members of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12). We do not attend the body of Christ. That is nonsensical on the face of it.

Second, our identity is in Christ. The church is not an additional part of our lives, it is the core of our new identity. We are in Christ . We are the church, it is the most real thing about us. Jesus said that family relationships have no claim like the body of Christ does on its members.

Third, when the church gathers for prayer, praise, and proclamation, it is to rehearse this central truth in our lives. We receive from God and we pour into each other.

There are lots of wonderful aspects of life that add flavor and spice. Church, being the church, however is not one of them. Christ is your life and he has called his people in his name to live out that life together. #BeTheChurch

a whirlwind trip

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I’m stunned! Just barely made in on the plane with all 8 of us to head home. Home sweet home. My heart is so full of the kindness of others. I was flooded with texts and messages which reminded me of the amazing support the Bauers have. Our experience on the TODAY show revealed so much about the friends we have who are pullling for us. I’m thankful for the plane tickets, hotel rooms, the amazing gift of a cruise with the family, a glimpse of the show business and 24 hours in NYC. No doubt about that, but you guys are blessing my socks off with your cheers and retweets and posts. Our adoption journey is still going and we are so glad to have your support. It’s a bit embarrassing to get this much attention but Jesus arranged it and I want to keep my eyes on him. Oddly, standing in Times Square last night, it was clearer than ever that I don’t want to win at the American dream. It pushed me out of any fear or man or desire to please anyone but Jesus. Jesus lead on, I will follow. Follow Jesus. He will be enough. More than enough.

http://www.today.com/video/today/55373574