Happy New Year

Let me start your new year with a few good quotes.


- Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

- Every man regards his own life as the New Year's Eve of time. ~Jean Paul Richter

- For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning. ~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

- May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions.
~Joey Adams

(the last two are my personal favorites)

- The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.
~G.K. Chesterton

- Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther

Another Sunday Perspective

I had the Sunday off. I usually take the last Sunday of the year off. This year I stayed in town because Joni's parents are here and, since Joni had to be at the gatherings anyway, I talked with the crew in charge of the Espresso bar and asked if I could help them out.

I loved seeing Sunday from a totally different viewpoint - the Barista perspective.

I was able to connect with some I rarely get to see but from a distance. I was able to meet some of our guests. I was able to talk with people that I have never met before but have been part of our ECC family for a while. I loved it.

It affirmed to me how valuable our volunteer staff are. Thanks to champions like Terry and Jane P. (today's leaders of the Espresso ministry - a role they fulfill 2x a month) and J0hn M. (the lead on every other week) and their staff of workers! They all work very hard to serve along with the hundreds of others that make Sunday mornings a success. Maybe you did not know, but all the profits from the Espresso bar go to global outreach.

After working as I did today, I am looking forward to preaching three times next Sunday - that will be easy compared to today.

Next time you have a chance, hug and thank a volunteer.

Fishing Trip

The boys with their Grandpa Wilkerson.

Earl Pilgrim taking a coffee break - he needed it. Our inexperience was taxing.

Knowing that Joni's parents were going to be in town, I am taking a few days off this week. So the plan for the week included a fishing trip with DJ, Dawson and Dad Wilkerson . I talked with Earl Pilgrim a while back and he agreed to host the trip on the Cowlitz River. Earl is a great guy and a great fisherman. His boat, his equipment, his gear and off we go.

As Earl put it, "the fishing was great, the catching wasn't so great." Other than a few bites, we got skunked. Earl never gets skunked, so the men in our house are feeling a bit insecure tonight. That does not take away from a wonderful day with great people. Honestly, we had a blast! Great grandfather/father/sons time. Another 2007 memory.

"Merry Christmas"

I am told that there are actually people who are done Christmas shopping by early December. I have yet to really know that type of person.

I, on the other hand, was at the mall today (Christmas Eve). I tend to work best under pressure.

Is it just me or did I hear "Merry Christmas" more than I ever expected, given the cultural war against such a statement? I was in at least 4 stores and at every one they initiated the "Merry Christmas" along with a warm smile. It was nice.

On the other Christmas Eve front, we just completed our candlelight gathering. One word: AWESOME. The true Christmas spirit was obvious. At the end all of our pastors and their families joined me and my family on our platform as we sang, "Silent Night" with upraisd candles. Not many moments can match that one.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas

From My family to yours.

Flossing

This was dental week for the Oquist family. The last few years we have been really faithful about getting in every 6 months for check-ups and cleaning. It feels good to get the old pearly whites tuned up.

It made me think to a few years back when we all went in. My appointment was over and all three kids were getting their cleaning. You know what an open environment a dental office is to where it is not too hard to hear another conversation. I heard the hygienist ask my son D.J. if he flosses. To which D.J. replied, "Yeah, my mom makes us floss right before coming here." Caught!

Thankfully, we are all a bit better at flossing more consistently these days, but there is a lesson to be had. Healthy gums and teeth comes from diligence on a daily basis. It doesn't do much good to floss before you go to the dentist when they are going to get paid to do it. It does do a lot of good to floss on the days they won't be doing it for you.

It is easy to treat our spiritual lives with the same irrational thinking. Why don't we pray and know God's word on a diligent and consistent basis so that on the days when the stress goes up, the temptation intensifies and the crisis becomes part of your day, we will be prepared and strong and healthy.

Here's to clean teeth, a sparkling smile and a healthy soul to go with it.

Trust in God; That's All

I read a newspaper article from the Seattle PI about an amazing boy named Seth Cook. He was part of another Assembly of God church in Darrington, WA. At age 10 he stood 3 feet tall and weighed 27 pounds. He had a rare disease called progeria - it is incurable and it causes its victims to age prematurely. He was 18 months old when he was diagnosed, only one of 14 known sufferers in the U.S., and one of 42 worldwide.

He died at 13 years old this past June 25th. His pastor, Les Hagen of Glad Tidings Assembly of God said, "Seth packed 90 years of life into the 13 he was granted. Although he was aware of his limitations, he knew he was a spiritual being having a human experience."

He asked his family to bring his collection of roughly 200 beanie babies to his funeral because he wanted them handed out to the children who came that were his age and younger. Some of those in attendance were the kindergarten class from Darrington Elementary where he as a regular reader in the classroom in which he was once a student.

Goes to show you that a full life does not need to be a lengthy one.

When his pastor asked him what five words he would love to tell the world, Seth said, "That's simple, 'trust in God.'"

"But Seth," Pastor Hagen responded, "that's only three words."

"Okay," Seth countered, "Trust in God; that's all!"

Christmas Gifts?

I read that retailers predict that Americans will spend around $450 billion for Christmas gifts this year. The crazy thing is that many of them are unnecessary, returned, misplaced or unused.
I am the firmest believer in generosity, but I have compiled a quick list of things you or I don't need to spend our money on this year (understand, this is just my opinion):
1. a wallet/mini light gift set
2. a wallet/nail clipper gift set
3. a wallet/calculator gift set
4. Rubik's cube boxers
5. a "solid wood" back scratcher
6. Pink Panther flannel lounge pants
7. a cell phone caddy with mini clock
8. a cadre of sample colognes I have never heard of
9. a set of 13 hanker chefs
10. a wobbling/talking alarm clock
11. a Chia pet

I would add a "clapper" to this list, but since my son Dawson wanted one last year, I find myself using it most days.

I am surely not knocking gift giving. I just think we should make it more meaningful to the person we are giving it to than to the store and manufacturer that just makes and sells it for this time of year (and the profits that go with).

More Updates

I had a really, really busy day, yet in the craziness I happened to hear that we already took a load of supplies down to Lewis County (Chehalis) today and that we have taken in over $2500 toward the same cause.

There's just something about giving.

Update on Lewis County

We have been in contact with Convoy of Hope in Lewis County and other relief agencies to see what we can do to help in light of the floods. We have a list in our lobby and at our office of supplies that can be put to good use immediately - coats, blankets and water are huge sources of life right now. Other items of need are stews and soups, peanut butter, underwear for adults and children (all sizes). ECC is a drop-off site for those supplies. During the week, our church office is the place to drop them off.


You can also give any dollar amount and it will go, in its entirety, to the relief effort.

To Do it Over Again

Richard Leider spent around 20 years interviewing older adults, mostly over 65, asking them about life. One question he consistently asked them was, "If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?"

He chronicles three themes that resurfaced over and over again in his book The Power of Purpose:

1. I would be more reflective, take time to think because life passes by so quickly and I was too busy doing to think adequately.

2. I would be more courageous, take more risks; I played it too close to the vest;

3. I would be clear, far earlier, on what my purpose was in life.

How would you answer that question? Are you surprised by any of the reoccurring responses?

Redeem the day.

Christmas Party

We held the annual Board/Staff Christmas party tonight. The evening was hosted by Don and Cindy Gamble. They really blessed our staff with a huge spread of food and desserts.

The joy of the evening is to get together with people you are doing "battle" with every week of every year to just enjoy each other and share some joy and laughs. We really had a nice time.

As you may be part of a Christmas party for your work, sports team, or family you may be inclined to skip it because of differences of how you see life and the season. I encourage you to be a part as you may have a chance to display the grace and love embodied in Christ and Christmas.

Lewis County Floods

I have been speechless when I see some of the pictures of the flooding that hit Chehalis and all of Lewis County. I was at the Toyota dealership down there just over a week ago. To see pictures where you cannot see vehicles and the whole building is almost completely under water is dramatic.

To let you know, the Assemblies of God (the network of churches ECC is part of) has contacted Convoy of Hope to help out. I have a desire like all of you to DO something. I am investigating that and as I know, I will let you know.

What Are You Looking For?

A principle for life and leadership is uncovered in this simple question - what are you looking for? Because, I believe that you get back what you look for. If you are looking for a fight....you will find one.

Andrew, who did a phenomenal job speaking on Sunday, confessed in staff meeting today that when he connects with people from ECC he is always looking for potential in them to be youth staff members. Therefore, he has a great group of volunteer youth staff under his leadership. Why? Because you get back what you look for.

I have been around other churches and other pastors enough to hear them say that the people in their churches don't want to volunteer. What they are really saying is they don't spend time looking for volunteers. They are probably too busy just doing everything themselves and robbing others of the blessings of selfless service.

I have drilled into our staff that our purpose is not to do ministry (the statement I keep saying is "I don't pay anyone to do ministry, I will pay someone to train and equip others for ministry"), but, according to Ephesians 4:11-12, to prepare and equip people to make a difference.

You get back what you look for. God just works this way. What are you looking for?

Enlarge: Living Bigger Than You Are

I have to admit, the organizers for today's men's event had a bigger vision than me. Randall Greggs, Manny Najarro, Chris Lunde and Pastor Dan Olson were envisioning around 150 men coming out for a Saturday morning to worship together, interact with each other and learn and grow together (food was also involved). I am glad the results were not based on my faith and vision.

We had an incredible morning. About 120 men showed up (about 150 including helpers and kids) and all were serious about breaking through the ceilings of our lives. I had the honor of taking the teaching portion of the morning and had the chance to develop a talk on a topic I have been meditating on for about a year.

There was productive table talk, great interaction, new friendships formed and we grew along the way.

Congratulations to the entire men's ministry team for your hard work and a big win. Most importantly, for having a greater vision than me.