The View from My Window

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81527215213776328542012-02-16T00:20:10.027-08:00The View from My Windowby Pastor George Dakin, Wabash Church, Auburn/Enumclaw Washington, USAWabash Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13179198859752816193noreply@blogger.comBlogger171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-61440395937314721872011-11-29T16:19:00.000-08:002011-11-29T16:47:32.054-08:00Disdain for Purity

I'm not too proud to admit that my wife and I hoard our change. Well, perhaps hoard isn't a good term; we collect it, only to eventually cash it in. It's always amazing (a) how much actually collects over time and (b) how it comes in handy at the most opportune of times.As I was at the local Coinstar the other day, I heard a strange "clink" as I was pouring my coins into the feeding tray. I felt

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-10869435741858594832011-10-06T10:06:00.000-07:002011-10-06T10:33:59.266-07:00Steve Jobs, The Life, and Sovereignty

Leaping to the front of the news pack, passing up Amanda Knox's joyous return and the epic choke of the Red Sox, was yesterday's story, and today's continuation, of the passing of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, Inc. Much of the story line here in the Northwest has dealt with the speculation of what life would be like had Apple never gotten off the ground: no I-Pods, no I-Touch, no Mac, no I-Pad

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-13702389713317273892011-05-10T17:59:00.000-07:002011-05-10T18:15:42.296-07:00A Step Backwards

I guess deep down most of knew that this day would come at some point; a day when our cultural accommodation comes to full bloom as a denomination. Rather than stand for very clear, unambiguous orthodoxy, we've bowed our knee to the altar of a "progressive" theology. I think it must grieve an immutable God.With a vote in favor of dropping the previously approved ordination standards from the

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-22734223901479996352011-04-06T11:43:00.000-07:002011-04-06T12:08:26.209-07:00Things That Go Beep in the Night

I'm generally a pretty good sleeper. I'm not quite as good as my youngest who claims that sleeping is actually her profession! However, when there are sounds that aren't part of the usual flow of the evening, or early morning, that's when I find myself awakened. Like last night. What is it with smoke detectors only doing their "battery low" chirp in the night? You don't ever hear them at noon, or

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-42566981355818364502011-02-24T15:34:00.000-08:002011-02-24T15:54:38.233-08:00What Money Will Make Us Do

I'm sure many heard of the snafu at the Super Bowl this year as regards the seating of certain fans. Evidently there was a section of seats that were constructed at the last minute in order to hold what they knew would be a record setting attendance due to the popularity of the two competitors; namely Pittsburgh and Green Bay. One slight oversight, however; the seats were not assembled in enough

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-91555107745649715642011-02-07T11:11:00.000-08:002011-02-07T11:28:21.748-08:00A Quick Pit Stop

I am about to show my ignorance when it comes to auto racing. I know absolutely nothing. I barely can tell you the difference between NASCAR and Hot Wheels. But I do know, from time to time, drivers must take a pit stop.And, I've even seen, at times, drivers pull into the pit just slow enough to grab a cup of water, or Gatorade, or whatever might be in the cups, from some kind of fancy cup holder

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-21903499102757206682011-01-13T10:37:00.000-08:002011-01-13T11:00:26.778-08:00Holding Out Hope

I looked longingly out my window just the other day toward our deck. As I watched the rain melt the snow off the cover of the barbecue, the thought occurred to me "I sure enjoyed this place during the summer!" It actually birthed a little hope in me, in spite of watching the multiple forms of precipitation that only Seattle suburbs get to enjoy! "At some point", I assured my fainting, if not

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-40024738114453049482010-12-23T12:52:00.000-08:002010-12-23T13:06:50.214-08:00I Guess it Is About the Kids!

I know you've heard it said a million times: "Christmas is about the kids!" I have to admit, to be honest, there is the believer and pastor side of me that says "No, it's about THE kid...or better, child, namely Jesus." And, if I am to be COMPLETELY honest, it's probably said with a touch of sarcasm mainly directed at the comment seeming somewhat trite. That all changed this week.On Friday, our

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-66885769631457886852010-11-29T12:28:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:55:27.588-08:00The High Cost of Going Home

My wife and I had the opportunity to attend, and myself, officiate, the wedding of some family friends in Austin, Texas. We traveled home and timed our arrival with the big pre-Thanksgiving snow storm of 2010. It was costly.The final leg of our flight was from San Jose, California to Seattle. There was some question as to whether we would even take off due to rough weather in Seattle and an

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-84136153617774238162010-11-11T12:53:00.000-08:002010-11-11T13:12:47.079-08:00Who Would Have Thought!

The proverbial comparison for anything that is impending which you dread seems to be the root canal. Once again, the poor dentist is the brunt of every ones least desired anticipation in life. You've heard it said, and have perhaps uttered it yourself: "I could do such and such, or I could have a root canal!" which is nothing more than saying "This is the LAST thing I want to go through."Well,

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-26974914693467563232010-11-01T16:45:00.000-07:002010-11-01T17:00:55.853-07:00The Day After Tomorrow

There are certain days to which I really look forward. Some obscure, some predictable. For instance, under the heading "predictable" I'd list Christmas Eve. Ever since I was a kid I could not wait for that day. In a strange way, even sometimes more than Christmas Day itself. All of the anticipation and joy for what's to come seem to culminate and, in a strange way, hold an even greater sense of

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-19642578996478640102010-10-11T14:25:00.001-07:002010-10-11T14:54:37.688-07:00Fighting for Last

When was the last time you saw a story about people fighting to be last? I imagine it's been some time, if at all.We don't fight to come in last. We don't strive to be behind someone else. We don't struggle to take the final spot in line, unless by final we mean the last spot available for something truly desirous.No, I'm talking about being last. The end. It's generally not coveted.Unless you're

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-47355753666491864462010-10-04T09:52:00.000-07:002010-10-04T10:09:57.225-07:00A Fresh Start

I finally have found someone else that likes Mondays!I saw a Facebook status of a former student of mine who asked "Is it weired that Monday is my favorite day?" I have yet to reply to his posting, but I intend to encourage him with words from an equally weired perspective. I love Mondays.I'm sure it has something to do with being a pastor and that Sunday is such a busy, exhausting, and climatic

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-70563663319680161542010-09-27T10:29:00.000-07:002010-09-27T10:44:56.137-07:00Not All Clutter is Bad

Looking across my desk this morning, I realize that it started out very clean at 7:50 this morning. It's already cluttered. But that's not all bad. It can remind me (and you, I hope) of God's grace. Let me explain. Working left to right, I notice the first piece of paper reminds me of something I need to cover with my staff tomorrow in our staff meeting. It also speaks to me of how fortunate

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-68606033086904823762010-09-20T10:19:00.000-07:002010-09-20T10:19:58.042-07:00The View from My Window: Alarms and Such

The View from My Window: Alarms and Such: "For some folks, Mondays are tough. The start of a new week after an enjoyable weekend; the switch to responsibility after being able to lay ..."

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-85447422284796691422010-09-20T09:48:00.000-07:002010-09-20T10:19:26.457-07:00Alarms and Such

For some folks, Mondays are tough. The start of a new week after an enjoyable weekend; the switch to responsibility after being able to lay low for the weekend is, for some, a "downer." Not for me, I love Mondays. Monday spells newness; a fresh start. Mondays for me are full of "to do" lists, beginning to pick apart a new section of scripture in preparation for Sunday, and every now and again

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8152721521377632854.post-11544063678649449362010-09-13T15:18:00.000-07:002010-09-13T15:26:33.253-07:00The Inaugural Post

The view out my window...Here at Wabash Church, the view out of my window in the pastor's study has as its central focus a large wooden cross. I don't know when it was placed there, I don't know by whom, and I have no idea of when it was positioned any thought was given to it's proximity to the office window, but from where I look, it is central.As I began to consider the whole concept of writing

gfdakinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12785975449555988975noreply@blogger.com0