It's Alright To Dream Again

Listen to Randy Reynolds as he delivers his message, "It's Alright To Dream Again." 

(Sorry, glitch in the video processing, just audio available this week.)

The Root Cellar

Watch Kurt Holmgren, Director of the Root Cellar as he speaks at White Pine Community Church // Sunday 08/14/11


I'll bet few of us feel wealthy, but riches are relative. We may have less than we'd like, yet, on average, those who live in the communities north of Portland possess more than the vast majority of Mainers. In light of all that the Bible teaches about caring for the poor, I'm sobered by that reality.

But I'm also thankful that the White Pine family has taken that calling seriously. Your ongoing generosity to community food pantries, as well as our collective commitment to the Root Cellar in Portland, are Christlike expressions of compassion for those who have less than we do.

I think it's a healthy thing for us to know how our donations to the Root Cellar are being used, and to dream of new ways to partner with that strategic ministry. That's why I asked Kurt Holmgren, the director of the Root Cellar, to speak at White Pine this Sunday. (I will be speaking at a church in Southern Oregon before beginning a 10-day vacation.) Kurt is a passionate follower of Jesus who has a God-given vision for bringing "Shalom" to Portland. If you wonder what that means, don't miss church this Sunday.

I'll miss you, and I'll be praying for you as God speaks to you through Kurt.

Superheroes Part 4

Watch Greg Sidders in his message, Superheroes Part 4 from Sunday 08/07/11

Facing any giants these days?

I don't mean the flesh-and-blood kind.  I mean, are you facing any overwhelming challenges--at home, at work, at school, in your body, in your mind?  Is there anything in your life that is so big and so bad that it's scaring you to death?

If you'd like to know why has God allowed that giant to threaten you, and how you can slay it, don't miss this podcast.  You'll learn from a biblical boy wonder how to get a head of your giant!

Superheroes Part 3

"Watch Superheroes Part 3", by Greg Sidders

Don't you wish life always made sense?

I think we all want to believe that everything happens for a reason, but sometimes it feels like God is not quite as personally and purposefully involved in our lives as we'd hoped, doesn't it?

If you're feeling that way these days, I think you'll be encouraged by this message. We're going to look at the life of someone who thought she was far from God, only to find that she was smack dab in the center of His will--which just might be where you are right now. Listen and learn how to live a purpose-filled life even in the midst of seemingly purposeless circumstances.

Superheroes Part 2

Watch Greg Sidders in, Superheroes Part 2 / White Pine Community Church / 07/24/11

I had been a follower of Jesus for only a few months when I attended a retreat with this theme:Make a Mark That's Hard to Erase. The words were carved into wood--and into my heart, because they spoke to my deepest longing: to live the kind of life that, in some small way, would change the world for the better.

But I wondered (then, and many times since), Could God really use someone like me? I think that feeling of inadequacy is one of the most common barriers to a life of significance. We assume our ambitions exceed our abilities.

But the Bible is full of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things, and in this message we're going to learn from one of those biblical superheroes what it takes for an average Joe/Jane to make a mark that's hard to erase.

I believe God's plans for you are bigger than you can imagine, and I'm excited to share with you some nitty-gritty steps you can take to make His dream for your life come true.

Superheroes Part 1

Watch "Superheroes" Part 1, by Greg Sidders

Do you think your best days of serving God are a) behind you or b) ahead of you?

The older we get, the more likely we are to circle "a"--because with age comes the residue of past mistakes and the obstacle of deep ruts, both of which make many people stop dreaming and start settling.

In Part 1 of our summer series Superheroes, you will meet a man who thought he was past his prime right before God handpicked him to change the world.  If you've been wondering whether God can use someone with wrinkles and a regrettable track record, you're going to get a second wind in this message.

In God We Trust

Watch Greg Sidders deliver his message, "In God We Trust"

It's stamped into every coin and printed on every dollar bill, but for how many of us is it really true?

"In God we trust."

There are vast differences in the extent to which we trust God, and the reason is simple: We all observe and experience a lot of things that make trusting Him hard. Why should we trust Him? What rational basis is there for believing that, when we draw near to God, He won't let us down.

In this message Greg uses three strands of biblical truth to braid a rope that we can use to strangle whatever doubts we may have about God's trustworthiness. If you have trust issues, this is one message you need to hear. Trust me :-)