FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS George Whitefield and the first Great Awakening
The column last week about George Washington and the theme of God’s hand on our country and leaders generated quite a bit of interest and comment. Many expressed that we need another “awakening” or revival in our country. Surprisingly to me were the people who were unfamiliar with Whitefield or …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS Happy birthday, George - the indispensable president
When you looked at the headline, did you wonder why we’re talking about George Washington and his birthday? That was Monday — Presidents Day!
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Love INC - A hand up, not a hand-out
Love INC is not new across the country but relatively new in Kootenai County. We did a column about Love INC locally on Jan. 1, 2019, and thought it time to check back in.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS Love & Marriage: A column for Valentine's Day
“God created marriage. No government subcommittee envisioned it. No social organization developed it. Marriage was conceived and born in the Mind of God.” — Max Lucado
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS Catching up with Union Gospel Union Mission
Nearly two years ago we interviewed JoAnn Zajicek, director of the Union Gospel Mission Center for Women and Children here in Coeur d’Alene. This beautiful facility opened almost eight years ago with wonderful community support. JoAnn has been the director from the beginning, and we wanted to follow up on …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Steeling the Mind - Compass Ministries
If cabin fever is becoming a chronic problem, some events break the routine and are worthy of your attendance. North Idaho Young Life is having its “generation celebration” banquet on Feb. 20 at the Best Western Plus CDA Inn. This is a high energy and very worthy ministry to support. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Good Samaritan Rehabilitation
It has been nearly two years since we started this column and our very first one was an interview with Pastor Tim Remington, who has seen more than 3,100 people with addictions go through their program over many decades. We thought this might be a good time to check in …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
A new year, and new stars to reach
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS Reading with a Biblical worldview
Franklin Graham made these statements: “That an individual with a Biblical worldview looks at the world and sifts all information through the lens of God’s Word. Scripture informs his thinking and behavior, guiding his intellect and moral determinations. The Bible is the bedrock that undergirds his entire life.”
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: 'The Christmas Coin' by Steve Marr
Steve Marr is one of our favorite people to talk to about business, the Christian walk, history and especially his knowledge of ancient coins.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Christmas in prophecy
Many of us are familiar with the scriptures about Christmas that we see on the cards we receive. We read Luke 2 or the references in a Christmas sermon. You might even get an occasional Old Testament Bible verse on a card.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Faithful Observations Rock, money and the Bible
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Faithful Observations Living Passages brings Bible to life
When I arrived at the Billy Graham Conference Center last month, I received an email from Mike Patrick, editor of The Press, about a travel agency in Coeur d’Alene that was featured on Fox News. Living Passages was the first to run tour groups from the west to biblical sites …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS
We are used to a thanksgiving celebration that evolved into a holiday that includes the following: a football game that started in 1934; a New York parade that started in 1924; the busiest shopping day that comes the day after; and most enjoy one of the nearly 50 million turkeys …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
'The Cove' conference center captivates
The main purpose of our trip to North Carolina and Virginia was to attend a seminar at the Billy Graham Conference Center, “The Cove,” near Asheville, N.C.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
From 9/11 ashes arose Christian emergency group
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Samaritan's Purse: Nearly 50 years of ministry
Jane and I stopped on our tour a few weeks ago at Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in Boone, N.C., and listened to the story of its founding and history.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Faithful observations: Billy Graham library inspirational
My wife, Jane, and I just returned from a 12-day fall trip through North Carolina and Virginia.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
A wish list from faith-based ministries
If many of you are like us, you’re inundated with requests to give. It seems to accelerate as the holidays approach.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Roofs for Africa
Over the past two years of writing this column, we keep wondering whether we’ll run out of people to interview.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Following the Copper Scroll Project
At a recent speaking engagement I sat next to gentleman who had just returned from Israel. It was his third such trip; he had been assisting the Copper Scroll Project. I was vaguely familiar, having seen a recent interview with Jim Barfield, who heads the project.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Get to know Great Northern University
Chicago-based Moody Bible Institute said in November 2017 it would close its branch campus in Spokane at the end of the academic year. The bombshell not only affected students, faculty and staff, it impacted the entire region. The Pacific Northwest would be losing a school that had a mission of …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Clothing sales fight human trafficking
There has been no lack of stories about the next generation and how they are walking away from faith and church. There is some truth to that scenario, but other studies show young people hunger to understand the meaning of life and a Christian worldview. Here is a story of …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Faithful Observations
Most people probably know a family that has adopted a child from overseas, often China, Korea, Russia, Guatemala, Ethiopia or similar country. This number peaked at over 20,000 per year in the early part of this decade. For a variety of reasons, these numbers have leveled off. According to Pew …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Women equally essential to the Body of Christ
During the past many months of columns, we have interviewed three men who represent national men’s ministries to develop men as leaders in their homes and churches. This is important, and we certainly didn’t mean to leave women out of the picture — they are equally essential to the Body …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Open Arms annual gala is Oct. 5
We have highlighted the Open Arms Real Choices Clinic before, some things in the future deserve renewed attention. We met the director, Richard Hawk, who took the reins early last year and has a full plate and exciting plans. We wanted to be filled in about the clinic and what …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Cup of Grace Ministries feeds the flock
There is no little controversy about growth in North Idaho and the impact of all the newcomers, yet we sometimes overlook the value and positive impact of the transplants to our communities. One of these is an amazing lady by the name of Amy Privitt who moved here with her …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Faithful Observations: New Covenant Missions serves the heart of Africa
There is an amazing organization headquartered in Coeur d’Alene that has focused on reaching “unreached” people in Africa. It is called New Covenant Missions.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Frank Peretti, 'father of Christian fiction'
It was an absolute joy and privilege to interview Frank Peretti, arguably one of our area’s most recognized names, author of 19 novels and two nonfiction works and a sought-after speaker.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Operation Christmas Child lands in Liberia
Back in March we had a fascinating interview with Cliff Hall, who volunteers as an area coordinator for the Samaritan Purse/Operation Christmas Child program. We learned from Cliff that the Christmas “shoeboxes” are delivered at various times of the year around the world in carefully planned events.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
June and the state of marriage
We often think that June is the month of weddings and often refer to the “June Brides.” Surprisingly, June is not the most popular month for weddings; it’s No. 3. October is No. 1 and September is No. 2! Just in case you were wondering, January is the least popular …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Persecution of Christians around the world
At a breakfast meeting recently we were discussing world events and someone pointed across the room to an individual and said, “That’s Jim Korver. You should write a column about his experiences — he just returned from China.”
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Suspense, fiction and faith Collins trademarks
One of the many benefits of living in North Idaho is meeting very interesting people who live here. Many have national or worldwide reputations in their field and yet we are unaware that they are our neighbors. One of these is Brandilyn Collins, a prolific novelist with more than 30 …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
The Business Forum at Real Life Ministries
It is surprising the references the Bible makes to management, business principles along with references to money and possessions. Have you ever considered that two of the most successful managers in history were Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon? They were in difficult situations and yet were very successful.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Memorial Day and the Bible
This weekend about 250,000 flags will be placed in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., and countless other flags and flowers at cemeteries across the country. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who’ve died serving in the U.S. military and now many also remember relatives and friends who …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: The Bible and business
One of the joys of doing these columns has been meeting some remarkable people who have decided to share their faith in some form of ministry. Steve Marr is one of those people we became friends with recently.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Open Arms and Young Lives
As we approach Mother’s Day on Sunday, don’t be surprised if you see baby bottles at many of the area churches for the annual “Baby Bottle Boomerang” campaign to support the Open Arms Pregnancy Care Center and Real Choices Clinic in Coeur d’Alene.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 5 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
American Heritage girls earn support
We recently covered the rapid rise of a new program for boys called Trail Life USA as a response to the policy changes in the Boy Scouts. The same reaction to the Girl Scouts has been felt across the country, particularly among church leaders.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Passover and Easter
The Jewish calendar year begins in late September or early October with the celebration of Rosh Hashana. Unlike our calendar, which is based on the solar year, the Jewish calendar uses 12 lunar months of 29 to 30 days in length. Every two or three years the Jewish calendar requires …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Making 'The List'
Bill Perkins and his wife, Susie, have led more than 60 guided tours to Israel and have always marveled how the Bible comes alive for their participants. For the past few years, Bill has kicked around the idea of putting the three years of Jesus’ ministry into a novel form.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Trail Life USA
For more than a hundred years, the Boy Scouts has been an integral part of our culture. Earning the Eagle designation was something that was listed on most men’s résumé if they achieved it. Presidents, governors, military officers and millions of boys have become better men because of their time …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Samaritan's Purse
My wife, Jane, and I have had an amazing time interviewing people involved in ministry in our area. What is most encouraging is that most of those interviewed are volunteers and those who aren’t, depend heavily on volunteers to come alongside in this ministry.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Edify Northwest builds hope
What if you told your children that you were going to take the same two weeks of vacation each year, fill up buses or vans with 90 other people and travel to one of the poorest areas of Mexico to build houses? And you did this for the next 30 …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: The faith of Washington and Lincoln
As President’s Day approaches it’s an appropriate time to look at the faith of the two presidents we typically honor at this time.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: A book to unite Christians
One of the purposes of these columns this past year was to emphasize the impact of Christianity and Christian ministries in our community. A recent poll stated that 60 percent of agnostics and atheists believe that the Christian church does little or nothing and is basically irrelevant. More disturbing has …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Ross Point Camp and Conference Center
There are so many amazing Christian camps in the area and we will try to do them all justice over time. One camp that is fascinating, just by its location, is the Ross Point Camp and Conference Center in Post Falls. This camp, although less than a mile from Interstate …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
On the field with a Hall of Fame human
I have to admit that I am not a huge sports fan and I don’t follow all of the statistics and stories about individuals and teams of any kind. But when The Press had a headline on the sports section that said in bold type, “Finally, Edgar gets the call!”, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Christian Camping
The Idaho Panhandle is a mecca for many looking for recreation, outdoor beauty and relaxation and we have it in abundance. Skiing, watersports, waterparks, hiking, a theme park — this and more draw hundreds of thousands to our area every year.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Religion, government and society
The discussion of the Constitution and the First Amendment continues and this is a good opportunity to join the discussion since my name and partial quote were included in a recent column. Jan. 16 is also the commemoration of the passage on Jan. 16, 1786, of a significant document authored …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Love INC (Love In The Name of Christ)
Sometimes you come across an idea or movement that is so good, you wonder: Why hasn’t this been done earlier?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Kootenai County, a Christian community
First, I would like to thank Mike Patrick and The Press for giving me the opportunity this past year to highlight some of the many Christian ministries in our community. We have many more to cover this next year! Some might say that Kootenai County is not a “Christian County,” …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Compass International
It is amazing to run across businesses and enterprises that are headquartered here and we often know nothing about them. One such international ministry is Compass International, headquartered in Coeur d’Alene and celebrating its 25th year of ministry. It’s founded by Bill and Susie Perkins. We had a chance recently …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS Man in the Mirror a bright reflection
We have covered a number of ministries that seek to heal broken people and families. These include chaplains in the jails, people running halfway houses for the addicted and broken, others helping women and children in crisis. In every case when we asked about the root causes of these tragedies, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Think good thoughts and give generously
In Booker T. Washington’s book, “Up From Slavery,” he says, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS There's help for kids in trouble
We have focused on the Kootenai County Jail and services that are offered to prisoners through the chaplain and volunteer chaplains. Chaplain Rick and his group exclusively work in the adult area of the jail.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS United to beat addiction
Continuing to explore the issues of incarceration, addiction and then recovery we had another fascinating interview with a ministry taking these problems head on. We talked to Brian Bassett of 24/7 Recovery Program about what they are doing in Kootenai County. Brian also brought one of their board members, Dave …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Strong marriages are the key
We have done a number of interviews with faith-based organizations that serve the homeless, addicted, foster children and incarcerated and we always ask the basic questions: What is the main cause of the problem? and What is the answer? Without exception the answer is the same. We need marriages that …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Jail ministry
The county has just expanded the jail to take care of the growth of inmates and this is an issue that affects families, taxes, resources and a concern about a revolving door of repeat offenders, along with a regular flood of new inmates. This is the first of a series …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS
The purpose of these articles is to highlight Christian ministries in our local area but I am taking a break this week to present a “must see” tourist destination. This is the Museum of the Bible, which opened last November in Washington, D.C., just a block off the mall and …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS
Our visit this week is with James Casper, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho. Many don’t know the history of Habitat and that its stated mission is “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” Their …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
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