In order to live with hope in a hard world, we have to get really good at seeing the evidence of our relationship with an invisible God. We have to see and acknowledge the things that point to His nearness, His awareness of us and His love for us.
A special treat for you today. A good friend of mine and long time Westsider, Eric Close is with us. Eric has a successful career in Hollywood, starring in shows like Without a Trace and Nashville and movies American Sniper. He also starred and directed in a couple hallmark Christmas films recently. He ended up in central Oregon in the 90’s when he starred in McKenna which was filmed here. It was then that he connected with Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in which he now serves as a board member. He lives in Tumalo with his wonderful wife Keri and has two beautiful daughters. We sat down recently at his home and talked about the importance of and challenge it can be to be grateful.
Never in my lifetime have can I remember our nation, the Church, and our communities being do deeply fractured and divided. The recent years have literally shattered life-long friendships, church communities, and even families. I’m sure you heard or even experienced these stories for yourselves. As I’m sure we’ve all heard, what has taken place in our world is not so much an illness, as a symptom of deeper problems.
