This is one of my favorite frequently-asked questions at the wood wall each week. I love that people at Chapel Hill want to connect to service. Serving our community and the church is part of who we are. It’s in our mission statement: exalt Jesus, elevate others, launch disciple-makers. It’s in our discipleship process: worship, […]
When believers are filled with the Spirit
Have you ever longed for greater unity in the body of Christ? This week it was so encouraging to join with our Chapel Hill Alpha team and a larger group of 140,000 believers from all over the world for a livestream of the Alpha Leadership Conference. Coming from all different backgrounds, denominations and parts of […]
Can I get re-baptized?
What was the date you were baptized? My date was March 19, 1989. I had several photos but I didn’t have the date. It didn’t take place in my home town, as the local priest would only perform the ceremony if the family attended the church. So, we went to my grandfather’s church, St. Augustine’s […]
Welcome to the world, Kennedy!
Kennedy Quinn Tesdahl, you are such a well-mannered baby! You knew that your daddy, Pastor Gunnar, had a big Easter Sunday to lead. So, very politely, you delayed your arrival until Tuesday at 12:46 pm; all six pounds and 10 ounces of you. Welcome to the world, Kennedy, and to your Chapel Hill family! We’ve […]
Won’t you come back?
Almost exactly two years ago, Cyndi and I were visiting our daughter, Rachel, in North Carolina, when we received news of the shutdown. A virus called “Covid-19” was spreading like wildfire. No one knew how to stop it or how it worked. So, the state of Washington, along with many other states, went into emergency […]
Call it what it is: wicked!
I think he’s bitten off more than he can chew. I certainly hope so. If Vladimir Putin was hoping for a quick capitulation by the Ukrainian people, he is surely disappointed. Though outmanned and outgunned, the Ukrainians have risen up in defense of their country in what can only be described as heroic. Putin underestimated the […]
What are you giving up for Lent?
I’ve given up candy, dessert, alcohol, second portions of dinner, playing video games, checking social media and various other things for lent over the years. I’ve also taken up new practices, like praying for an hour daily, or reading through the whole Bible in Lent. But what is Lent and why do people give things […]
What’s in a name?
Hello, Chapel Hill Family! I’m so excited to share some wonderful news with you! It also gives me the chance to thank you for your continued prayers as we have followed God’s lead to plant a community of faith in Port Orchard. Today is a great day to reflect on our shared journey and to […]
The freedom to be a servant
I’ll admit it: one of my all-time favorite movies is Braveheart. It’s a VERY fictionalized account of a Scottish rogue-hero named William Wallace. VERY fictionalized. But it’s also very fun. One of the iconic moments is when Wallace, played by Mel Gibson, cries out, “…they may take our lives, but they’ll never take…our freedom!” I […]
Knocked down but not knocked out
The Apostle Paul once wrote these words to the Corinthian Christians: “But we have this treasure in clay pots so that the awesome power belongs to God and doesn’t come from us. We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t […]