​I have always believed in fate, and I found it extra fitting that I was chosen to randomly write a blog on Earth Day.  I love our planet. I guess you could consider it a bias since it is the only planet we can exist on, but I do respect and love our planet. I once had an employer say to me, “Well, don’t you just thrive when it comes to the outdoors.” ​I believe God created the Earth so delicate and intricate that  Tracee Dahm our Earth functions in a way that is astonishing when you think of how much goes on our planet daily. From a simple sunrise or sunset harmonizin ..read more

When a disciple asked the Lord to teach them to pray, Christ demonstrated a short prayer that perfectly summarized what Christians believe and how we should live. His example is a template we can use for making our own prayers. He used adoration, confession and supplication.  Heather Bell In ​adoration we address God as Our Father, showing our relationship, reverence and gratitude for His love and care. This conveys God’s holiness, and the desire for His will to be done. The confession is our request for the forgiveness of our sins, along with the condition that we mus ..read more

We’re just over half a year into this incredible journey of Family Ministry here at 1st Pres, and I am so excited for all the ways God is at work!  Reflecting on Easter Sunday and our celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, and these past few months in Family Ministry, I am filled with so much gratitude for the overwhelming presence of a living God. I see God’s joy in the faces of our  Kierstie Renninger kids as they rush down the aisles of the sanctuary to pray together, before diving into exploration and experiences of who God is — with each other, their amazin ..read more

Who is Jesus, really? This may seem like an odd question to ask, but I think it is an important one. Many of us have spent our entire lives in the church and have read the gospels and the rest of the New Testament multiple times. As we have engaged the story of Jesus, we have probably developed some ideas and images of who he is. Many of these images are accurate and important. For example, we often describe Jesus as loving those on the outskirts of society: the lepers, the sinners, the  Pastor McLane Stone tax collectors, and the Samaritans (to name a few). However, ma ..read more

Every day when I wake up, I listen to “The Prayer of the Day”. This is a service provided by the Bible App I use for spending time in the Word. I have found it a wonderful way to connect with God and start my day with Him in my heart. A Bible passage shows up on my phone and is then presented by a number of different people — pastors, authors, teachers, faithful Christians who want to share their beliefs. They Ellen Taylor interpret the verse on a short video and help make the Word even more meaningful. ​So, this morning I was happy to see that one of my ..read more

Recently, I had a great privilege to speak to the women’s group here at First Presbyterian. There was no topic given (tricky!) so I took the opportunity to share a bit about my life. Specifically, I focused on some key moments that have shaped me and ultimately led me to Coeur d’Alene and First Presbyterian. I’m not going to share the whole talk here - way too long!  But, I am going to share one of the key components of my talk and  Jenny Shotwell how it has impacted my life and my choices along the way - I worry. A lot. I am a worrier. Anxiety has constantly been ..read more

Hello! I am returning with my stack of favorite verses, verses that have carried me through the ups and downs of life. Today I want to tell you about my newest addition. It is a verse that I have avoided since I was a child. ​For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7) ​ Naomi White I remember watching a horror movie for the first time at a sleepover and discovering that I did NOT like it! I had nightmares for months and slept with a barrier of pillows all around me, my back to the wall, my lamps on, facing the room so ..read more

This year Lent begins tomorrow, February 14 … it’s not just Valentine’s Day! With that in mind, have you ever been asked the question, “What are you giving up for Lent?”. I think the question is often asked in jest because few of us actually give up anything. We might start to give up something with good intentions, but it falls to the wayside because we forget, are just too busy to remember, or honestly it just doesn’t mean that much. That said, as a Christian tradition, it’s a valid question and something to think about. Janet Starkey Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 4 ..read more

I started the new year wanting to learn something new, so I overcame the intimidation of sourdough and dove right in. Despite the short list of ingredients, I found myself eager to give it a go and probably mess it up. I was quite literally drowning in sourdough the first week because I was feeding a very happy starter that loved to bubble up and over whatever container I thought would contain it. Kierstie Renninger When I began the process for my first loaf, I had researched many different recipes, and I combined a few different methods and adapted the ratios to a rhythm I tho ..read more

I grew up with a family Bible on display in our entryway. It sat opened on a special wooden stand from The Holy Land. Mom would turn the pages to different stories.  I have no idea what translation that Bible would have been. It was not one that ever left the house. The children didn’t touch it without permission.  I remember the thrill of receiving my own copy of The Living Bible. It was so much easier for me to understand. That’s when Heather Cederblom Bell I began underlining and highlighting and writing in the margins.  Facebook has a feature that will show ..read more