Word from Bear Creek

The parade is only the start...

Opening Day always does something to me.There’s a crack of the bat, the smell of the grass, the feeling that maybe—just maybe—this is the year everything comes together.And when it does? When the ball clears the fence?That’s my kind of joy.Touchdown joy.Home run joy.The kind that shows up when the result goes your way.I’ve lived a lot of my life there.And then there’s Julio Rodriguez.

Our North Puget Sound District Superintendent, Rev. Mark Galang, preaches on Jesus in the Garden.

I grew up sharing a bedroom with my two older brothers. Three boys in one room is not always the recipe for peace.One morning I woke up to the sound of them fighting. Not just arguing. Really fighting. Voices raised. Bodies moving into “stand off!” position! High noon at the McBride corral! The kind of tension that makes a younger kid lie still for a moment and wonder what to do.I was scared.And if I’m honest, I was a little bit of a tattletale.So I went and told Mom. She brought my brothers in and had a sit-down with them. The lecture was delivered. Justice had been served—at least from my point of view.But then I had a new problem.

Pastor Brook looks at Mark 7:24-30

In these days it can feel as though the world is coming apart faster than we can hold it together.Wars rage across borders. Cities crumble under bombs. Families are scattered. The fragile structures that generations have tried to build—institutions meant to protect human dignity and restrain the worst instincts of power—are being tested and, in some places, deliberately torn down.

In this look at Jesus' life we see how he was tempted in the wilderness just after his baptism.

Pastor Brook looks at Mark 1:1-11 and reflects on how we are named, "Beloved"

Here’s an op-ed piece i sent to seattle times today. Concerning a wonderful child i baptized and confirmed who is now being held by ICE. Tragic. It’s long but trying to share my Christian conviction for the world. Praying for Nathan’s family

Most of us are running harder than we realize.We keep moving — finishing one task, solving one problem, carrying one more responsibility — rarely stopping long enough to ask what all this running is doing to our souls.There is a moment near the end of the film Forrest Gump when Forrest, after running across the country for years, simply stops. No dramatic music. No grand speech. He turns to the people who have been running behind him and says, almost casually, “I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.”And that’s it.No explanation. No achievement unlocked. Just a human being realizing he doesn’t need to keep running.

In our final K-pop-themed sermon, we see how much we need each other.

One of my favorite stories about my parents is wonderfully simple.One night my dad went to bed early and, as a joke, turned himself around so his feet were on the pillow and his head was at the foot of the bed. When my mom came in, she followed her nightly ritual — leaning over to give him a gentle kiss goodnight.Only this time, she kissed his feet.The funny thing came next.She didn’t even notice.

So many things in our world are trying to give us names, but what does Jesus name you?

I wrote earlier this week about a small ritual I’ve fallen into over the years. Every Sunday morning, before I leave for church, I stand in front of the mirror for a few quiet seconds.Not to fix anything.Not to judge.Just to notice.It’s a way of asking a simple question: am I actually here? Or am I about to step into the world performing a version of myself I’ve learned to play?Lately it feels like something similar is happening at a much larger scale. As if, through certain stories that keep resurfacing — the Epstein situation being one of them — we’re being made to stand still long enough to look at ourselves again. Not individually this time, but collectively. As a nation.

Take a listen to Pastor Brook's Look From Brook!

Psalm 139 and 1 Samuel 16:7

The Christian life doesn't come easy. It takes practice.

These are tough times. Pastor Brook has something to say about it.

Let me start off with a secret confession this morning: I’ve been losing my soul to Seahawk football lately. I mean who can blame me! One more game and the Seahawks are in the Super Bowl! Amazing! I love this team!One of the fascinating aspects of football these days is the challenge flag! What,!?! you mean you can challenge a referee’s call!?!? That was unheard of in my day! Challenging a referee’s call got you one thing back in my prime…kicked out of the game! Listen to hear more!

Fear shows up as control.

A tribute to my mother on her 96th birthday!

Change happens when we stop hiding. Fear teaches us not to say too much.

This week's audio version of Look from Brook

Familiar doesn't mean faithful. Last week we talked about fear. Today we name fear's silent partner: comfort.

Pastor Brook clarifies a few things for himself.

Enjoy this Las Posadas style journey into Bethlehem!

Pastor Brook looks at the Innkeeper and ways we can make room for Jesus in our hearts. Plus, our choir sings Night of Silence.

Listen to this week's blog-cast!

Join us as we see how Mary and Joseph are caught up in the dream.

Check out this week's Look from Brook!

Happy Advent 1! today we see how the Dream Catcher casts the dream.

Join us for our final Wonder-filled Life week!

Pastor Brook reflects on ministry and life.

Shifting our priorities so we can experience time the way God made it.

This week's Look from Brook in audio form!

This week we look at how we use our money helps to discern our priorities.

This is a special version of our podcast and Look from Brook blog, together as one!

with Rev. Charlie Lewis

Pastor Brook talks about how being empowered to make change is a great gift.