THE BEST FRIEND EVER!

I am a very rich and incredibly blessed man! The God and Father of Jesus Christ has forgiven and adopted me, I have an amazing and beautiful wife, four healthy, creative and brilliant children and some of the best friends anyone could ever have.

This past week, several of these friends from various parts of the Northwest came to the city I live in to hang out and 'BE!' I define the idea of "BE" as, 'that special quality that exists between true friends when you can "BE" yourself and know you will be loved, accepted, appreciated and tolerated in spite of whatever toads you may have recently handled.' I feel particularly smiled upon by God because I have more of these kinds of friends than many of the people I know.

I heard a great teacher on leadership once expound upon the maxim that to "Have friends you must be a friend" and I took it to heart. I like being friendly because I have found friendliness to be contagious. My wife often feels a certain uneasiness with my approach because she fears that people's 'space' will be invaded and they will be offended. I have found the opposite to be true for the most part, because we live in a relationship starved culture that is hungry for a smile and a kind word.

God smiled upon us and spoke to us many kind words 2000 years ago when He sent His Son to pattern for us true living and to die for us to satisfy God's righteousness. One of the most profound things Jesus our Messiah ever said was John 15:15, "I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn't know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father." Wow! I was once a slave to sin and an enemy of God, but now because of Jesus, I can have the greatest friendship known to humanity; FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD! This astounding friendship even includes the idea that Jesus will share His Father's secrets with us as well! What more can you ask from a friendship? All of this is what leads me to say, "Jesus is truly THE BEST FRIEND EVER!"

WE ARE BLESSED AND LIFE IS RICHER

Well, all good things must come to an end, and the good thing called The Grant County/Gunpo City Youth Ambassador Exchange has come to an end as we said goodbye today from Seattle amidst pictures, passionate waves and many tears. Goodbye our new friends, and though we may never see some of you again, please know that your appearance on the stage of our lives has enriched and blessed us more than I can express.

Your coming to us reminded us that God’s big world is actually rather small, that people are people no matter where they hail from, that relationship is the essence of life and that God is sovereign in putting those relationships together. The shared experience of this last month has enlarged our hearts and minds and hopefully benefited both of our country’s economic development for future generations.

Many people made these things possible through hours of hard work and much sacrifice. Leroy and Benaya, thanks for thinking about our family and giving our kids one of the highlights of their lives thus far! To all of the families we have had the opportunity to hang out with, “Thanks for your time, love, energy and amazing efforts!” I hope we get to hang out a little in the future, as you are all some great folks!

The visit of our friends from Korea confirmed once again that life is a gift and a stewardship and must be treated as both. It has been granted to us by our Creator though we did not ask to be born or deserve the opportunity to live. Our Creator is the source of that gift and gives life with pleasure and joy to us for His and our enjoyment. Life is also a stewardship, thus, God is its owner and we are its managers. One day we will open the books of our lives before God and give an accounting to Him of how we spent the time, talents, resources, health and energy of our lives. God, being the completely just owner and king that He is, will then reward us or punish us in a way that is appropriate.

This last month has reminded me of how important it is to spend life well, enjoy relationships, listen carefully and love God and people. Thank you our Father in heaven, for all of the good things you have given, and thank you Sang-Hyuk, Ji-Su, Young-Mi, Hee-Sook, the rest of you precious Korean young people, Leroy and Benaya, and all the people and families of Grant County that made this Exchange possible! WE ARE BLESSED, AND LIFE IS RICHER!

PEOPLE ARE BEAUTIFUL

People are beautiful, what more can I say! The Psalmist said, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made," to which I say, "AMEN!" Tonight is our last night with the two wonderful Korean young people we have had with us and I am already missing them and the whole group. I so appreciate the opportunity my son and daughter have had to make new friends and be a part of something bigger than themselves. I have been reminded of how valuable people are and how very much God must love the amazing creatures He sent His Son to live, die and live again for.

I will miss Sang-Hyuk Lee and Ji-Su Hu and the way they have brought sunshine into our home. I will miss all of the students and their two chaperones, Young-Mi and Hee-Sook. It has been an honor to be a part of their lives and have them deposit a part of themselves with us as well. THANK YOU!

People are beautiful and we need to all remember that simple truth. When we look at another human being, we are looking at the image of God, flawed as it may be. We are looking at an amazing piece of artwork that is unique, precious and priceless! We are looking at a miracle called life and someone worthy of honor and respect. From heaven's viewpoint, Jesus may have died for the elect, but from my lowly vista, He died for all I can see. He died for you and He died for me. To His eyes you are beautiful, and PEOPLE ARE BEAUTIFUL.

MUCH BETTER, YET THE SAME

We live in a time of amazing technological advances and engineering achievements! This past week as we have visited the Grand Coulee Dam, various food processing plants and a feed lot, our Korean friends and myself have been very impressed with what we as human beings are able to accomplish. The sheer size of the Grand Coulee Dam takes your breath away, especially when you consider that most of it was built in the 1930's and 1940's. In so many ways, things in modern life are MUCH BETTER, YET THE SAME.

Consider how the advances in Medical Science have changed our lives. Just 50 years ago, many of the things that would have killed us then can now be treated quite easily and effectively. It seems like everywhere we look, we are advancing, moving closer and closer to that Utopia which we have been striving to create since the beginning of time. When we get our minds together and set them on a goal, we can accomplish just about anything we can imagine! OR NOT!!! The myth of Utopia has shown us that no matter how advanced our technology may get, no matter how long we cheat death, no matter how much we may genetically engineer people to be SUPER HUMANS, we still kill, rape, steal, lie, commit adultery, covet, make war, hate, gossip etc..., etc..., etc...!

Human beings, we are told, are in the process of advancing through the evolutionary process toward a species which will be better than ever. Part of this process includes the fact that through Bio-Technology and Genetic Engineering, we can help the process along and "speed things up a bit," thus creating THE NEW AND IMPROVED HUMAN, coming soon to a store near you! The interesting truth in all of this is the simple fact that no matter how much we improve technologically or genetically, (if we truly do improve at all) we never really seem to change or improve ETHICALLY and MORALLY. I know this is true because I love history and find that people, nations and great civilizations keep doing the same "bad stuff" over and over again.

Approximately 2000 years ago, God fulfilled the promises He had been telling his people for the previous 3000 years and sent His Son to deal with the real genetic issue affecting us all, ...SIN. I know, I know, I'm not supposed to get preachy, but please bear with me as I rant and rave a little. Sin is a passe', old fashioned, old school and an out of step (with the sophisticated society we live in) concept, but, one that none of us can deny. We all think, feel and do things daily that we know were wrong, in spite of the fact that we justify ourselves better than any lawyer ever could. We call evil good, and good evil and condemn others in our thoughts and words for the very things we do. We can go to the moon, but we cannot overcome our anger, addictions, or lust.

When Jesus came to this earth, He came to do what we could not do with all of our technology, that is, free us from this evil master called SIN. He has not altered our genetics yet, but He has by dying on a cross, given us the power to break the chains of the sin within and be a different person with His love and grace exhibited for all to see and experience. This is part of what His followers call "The Gospel," and it is the best news ever heard. With Jesus Christ, things can be MUCH BETTER, YET DIFFERENT!

COWBOYS FOR A DAY

Wouldn't it be great if you could become something or someone just by putting on a new hat, shirt or shoes? Our Korean friends continued their time of discovery by going to a number of small towns here in Grant County and they had the opportunity to "become" cowboys for a day. Of course putting on a hat does not a cowboy one make, but it is good to pretend and a heck of a lot easier!

Jesus seems to have had a real hard time with pretenders, calling them all kinds of mean things like snakes, hypocrites, white washed tombs and children of hell! When I read about how He dealt with those religious people I find myself gaining a great deal of satisfaction in knowing I'm not like one of them and then find myself suddenly rebuked within by the Spirit of Jesus as He reminds me that the satisfaction I have is the same root stock of hypocrisy growing within me.

It is much easier to be a pretender at first, but it becomes so much more complex to keep up the charade of being a SUPER-CHRISTIAN the longer you maintain the act! Fruit has an amazing way of making itself known, and what you really are will be exposed by what your life produces. My problem is that I am a pretty good actor! As a pastor, it is an art form you learn to develop quite early on in this image based culture we live in. The expectations of people, colleagues and self can help turn a man of the cloth into an Academy Award winner pretty fast!

If only I could don that cowboy hat and transform into the perfect cowboy for Jesus! Unfortunately, Jesus Himself will have none of that! Did I say unfortunately? Well, truly we are so very fortunate that He will not settle for anything less than His image manifested in our lives for a blind world to see. I am convinced that the time is at hand for this American image based Christianity to fall as the Christ Imaged people of God rise in its bankrupt place!

I know "authenticity" is a cool word right now and many are trying their best to be "real," but beneath the trendiness of it all is a deep heart cry for real life-transforming faith and power to display itself in the down and dirty living of life. It's fun to be a cowboy for a day and play a part in a play, but when it comes to being a follower of Jesus, the time for pretending is over! Live before the face of God, led by His Spirit within, and just admit it to Him and others when you don't! This is "authentic" and "real" and that is what the Grace-Life truly is!

CULTURES AND KINGDOMS...

It's another day, and a beautiful one it is indeed! Our two Korean students Ji-Su and Sang Hyuk are still with us and we are truly enjoying watching them discover American culture. Last night we had a barbecue and we exposed them to hamburgers, chicken and various other foods cooked up "cowboy style." As we watch them eat and talk among themselves it is a study in the differences and similarities with people all around the world. People are people are people are people, no matter where you go! We hosted a swim party as well and one of the best parts of the night was watching the Korean students swim and splash and laugh and have a generally good time with each other and with us! We are very excited for them as well as our own children as they all get the opportunity to be exposed to a much bigger world than Gunpo City, Korea and Moses Lake, Washington.

Culture is truly a powerful force as I consider the differences between us and our Korean friends. Encarta dictionary says culture is; 3. Shared values and beliefs - the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a particular nation or people. Why is it that certain foods which are abhorrent to us taste good to them, and vice versa? Culture is something that is built into us from the womb, and it is the way a society adheres together producing unity and strength, or division and weakness.

When Jesus came to the earth, He introduced a new culture called the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God. The culture He introduced was to transform people from the inside out and have as its hallmarks love for God and love for people. This kingdom could only work if people first went through the inward transformation, as loving God and loving people like He spoke of is totally impossible without a change of heart.

Many today speak of world peace, the brotherhood of humanity and the global family, but cannot even get along with their spouse, neighbor, co-worker, or the guy that just cut them off in traffic! Jesus told us to love even our enemies! I have a hard time loving my wife like she deserves and Jesus commands, much less loving my enemies! I am in need of constant change and transformation if I am ever going to see the culture of the kingdom of heaven invade the earth that I live in!

As we continue to host the Korean students, I am hoping they will see not only American culture, but the culture of the kingdom of heaven in our midst! I am hoping that 21 years as a follower of Christ will have worked sufficient change within my heart to be noticeable to them and to the people around me everyday in Moses Lake, Washington, USA!

My oldest son and

My oldest son and future world shaker, Stephen... Stephen is a multi-gifted and very friendly musician and party lover! He is regularly filling our house with the sounds of guitar and piano, both of which my wife Peggy and I love! Stephen is seen here leading a group of Youth in songs of praise and worship to God. Stephen is full of fun and brings a good time wherever he goes!

THE LOVE OF MY

THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, PEGGY and I! Peggy and I have been married for 18 years as of August 1st, and I have learned more about grace, mercy, patience and love from her than anyone else I know! She is an amazing woman full of beauty, creativity and conviction. Our marriage has been the crucible of God's purifying love in my life and Peggy has been the instrument used most often to reveal my selfishness and His all suffucient power!

Two friends from different

Two friends from different lands... Sarah and Ji-Su. Ji-Su is from Gunpo City, Korea and has jumped into our hearts with her gentle and soft spoken ways and personality.

Our very creative Nathanael!

Our very creative Nathanael! Nate is the perfect pitch musician, impressionist and comedian who keeps all of us in stitches. He, like his brother loves a good time, though he is a little more low key most of the time. Nate is a very good bass guitarist and a growing guitarist as well as a person who hates injustice and seeing the "little guy" get hurt! Think Lucy pulling the ball away from Charlie Brown at the last minute! Nate hates this!

This is how you

This is how you say COOL in Korean! Sang-Hyuk is a fun loving young man from Korea who is bringing some sunshine to our lives!

My little buddy Josiah!

My little buddy Josiah! Josiah is a very imaginative and squirrely boy! He loves music, doing "screamo" impressions and playing anything where he can be a hero or solve a crime! He makes all of us laugh with his funny words, rhymes and inexhaustible energy.

My daughter Sarah and

My daughter Sarah and our two Korean students. Sarah is also very creative and musical and she regularly blesses our home with classical piano and an infectious giggle! We like to call her our little lawyer because she can win most arguments with her sharp mind, amazing vocabulary and uncompromising standards. She is pictured here with Ji-Su and Sang-Hyuk.

This is me, Doug

This is me, Doug 

LIFE WITH PEOPLE FROM ANOTHER WORLD...

Today I start my official life as a "blogger" by talking about people from another world. This last week my wife Peggy and I began hosting two Korean students on a foreign exchange program here in Moses Lake, Washington and I have been reminded of how much we are regularly in need of people from another world.

It is not all about me, myself and I and my four and no more! The world does not revolve around the good ol' USA or the good ol' DOUG SHERMAN AND HIS PLANS AND GOALS! God's world and His kingdom is much bigger than my puny, little, myopic and self-centered world and kingdom!

People, (like the two precious students we are hosting in our home) are valuable and have their own stories which, incidentally, are every bit as interesting as mine ever was or will be. Many times in the last several years as I have traveled to Russia, Finland, Hong Kong, the Philippines and my corner gas station, I have been struck by the fact that all of the people that I pass have a story, rather a HIStory of their own which would be fascinating to just sit and listen to.

As I complain about the price of gas and the low attendance at the church I pastor, a great big orb full of people from another world are living, loving, fighting, struggling, grieving and trying to scratch out their own sense of purpose and significance right in their own back yards. I wonder, do they struggle with the me, myself and I syndrome as much as I? The Bible I read says they do, and that the only hope to be set free from this horrible sense of self absorption is a wonderful person named Jesus Christ and His wonderful gift called the Gospel of Grace. My hope is that we would all regularly have people from another world invade our homes and lives!