Outside the Pigeon Holes

Vineyard Westside has a monthly worship service called "Enter In" which is a simple format of music and prayer time around a particular theme such as healing or grace. The last one was "Rest". It opened with a prayer and then the band went into about an hour of music, familiar tunes as well as some extended free-flowing music interspersed with singing of spontaneous prayers. Being the geek that I am I brought my sketchbook, oil pastels and pencils for any arty inspirations I might have. At the beginning of the song "I love your presence" I had a picture form in my mind. So I drew it, not really knowing why it had come to me. It had sort of a sad feeling...Like looking out the window on a rainy day. When I finished drawing it I sat with it a few minutes more and then put it aside. Worship continued. The band moved into the song "Let it Rain" - one of my favorites. During the song I felt like Papa was asking me if I wanted him to break off some of...

Most people at the Gift-wrap outreach last night were open to receiving something for free...Others were suspicious...Others ignored me as I stood there with my sign saying "Free gift wrap and hot chocolate! Just because you're you!". You could tell by the expression that they were certain there was a catch. There truly wasn't. We even had trouble deciding if we even wanted to put the Vineyard Westside name on the outreach. So we kept that part small on the postcards that read "Showing you God's love in a practical way". I admit if I had been on the other side of it and had never heard of churches that did this kind of thing, I'd probably ignore me too. One man you could tell was just broken and hurting. When I said there was free hot chocolate just because he was him he said "I doubt that" and walked away...Then he came back. And he said "Who is doing this?" I told him and he asked where we had services. I told him that too...

Here are some recent pictures of some of my favorite people! I have been a part of many communities of faith - all have been wonderful...But there is something special about these folks. I have found a community that truly meets you where you are, understands that we're all broken vessels in need of Jesus, but that understands God loves us too much to leave us where we are. We all are so much more than "sinners saved by grace"...We are saints and we are royalty in the Kingdom of God, made to walk in the many gifts God gives us to love and serve others. Royalty that serves...Odd concept! Tony, Maria, Julie and Theresa. We're all building a place on Glenway called "Refuge Coffee Bar". Jason, Lori, Bob (having some sort of angelic visitation, apparently!) and Shari. Lori is my sister-in-law and often partner in crime. Bob and Shari are one of those annoyingly cute couples. :) :) This is Carol...She's a little bit, well...uh...Special. :) We call her our mon...

Every year at Vineyard Westside , the men have something called the "Stud-a-Thon". They get together and do competitive games all day long. There was nothing comprable for the women folk and so my friend Margaret and I launched the first Babe-a-Thon last year. Here is a video from this year's competition!

This is a video compilation from our fabulous Sunday of Freedom! Nice work, Ryan! One of my favorite songs, too!

At Vineyard Westside we think baptism weekend is the best day of the year - even above Christmas! We have a big outdoor party with worship and food and baptisms. Usually there's a group of people who sign up for baptism but many feel called to publicly declare their faith right there on the spot. Yesterday we had a lot of folks who have been believers for a long time who either re-committed or were baptized for the first time...Here are some of my favorite pics from the day: Ryan - one of our pastors and his wife, Allison This is my friend who 6 mont hs ago didn't want to live . Today she is a shining example of what the abundant love of Christ can do . D ave pr aying over his daughter just before baptizing her. Dave's wife, Colleen and their older daughter praying with them. If you want a total tear fest, check out all the pics on slideshow! http://picasaweb.google.com/Sketchisfuzzy/Baptisms2008/photo#s5225453654259894578