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10/27/2026

Devotion - Feelings

Feelings are necessary, but they are terrible masters. We often follow our feelings and make decisions based on how we feel rather than what is actually best. We probably all know people who govern themselves, and try to govern others, by their feelings and we may have been in situations where we have to work extra hard to protect someone’s feelings so they don’t lash out or make incredibly poor decisions.

How are you feeling right now? There can be as many answers to that question as there are people because we are always mixtures of feelings. It is important to acknowledge how we feel and to feel those feelings, especially when they are difficult. We need to have time and space to ourselves to feel what we feel, but we also need to recognize that those feelings are not the entire picture.

Are you sad? Confused? Angry? Afraid?
Are you happy? Joyful? Content? Peaceful?

Those are examples of feelings on two different ends of the spectrum, and it is possible to feel the feelings on both lists simultaneously. If you find yourself both sad and at peace, don’t discount either of them in favor of the other. Think about the thoughts or situations that bring about each feeling and process them, both separately and together. For the most part, you will find that they complement each other.

What do we do with feelings that overwhelm us and seem to take over rational control? Feel them. Grief and anger are two such feelings and both need to be felt, sometimes for an extended period of time, in order to get through them. The feelings we do not process and transform within ourselves will be transmitted to others, sometimes as the same feeling or emotion, and sometimes as something completely different.

You are never alone in processing your feelings. God is with you at all times and he can help you work through the particularly difficult feelings and the ones that seem too overwhelming to even start to process. Invite God to sit with you in your feelings and to give you wisdom on how to think about them and how to process them and what to do as a result of that processing. God created us and he knows us better than we know ourselves, so why would we not invite him into our deepest wrestling?

It is perfectly fine to feel your feelings, so take the time to do so. You might discover something amazing and profound about yourself as you invite God into the process.

Prayer - God, I don’t really like to feel my feelings, especially the bad ones. And I don’t often process the good ones like I probably should. Help me to recognize my feelings and to take time to work through them, to find out where they are coming from and what they are telling me. Thank you that you want to spend time doing this with me so I can continue to be transformed into the person you have created me to be. Thank you for your grace, your mercy, and your forgiveness. Amen.

10/25/2026

Gather Service October 24, 2026

10/23/2026

Devotion - Suffering

If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world? Why does one child die before taking a breath while another one lives to adulthood? Why are there wars and murders and kidnappings? Why is there homelessness and poverty and addiction? If God is merciful, why is there so much suffering?

These are all legitimate questions that sometimes lead people to believe there is no God, or at least not a good God. The common response to these questions often goes something like this. We don’t know why things happen, but we know that after we die, we will spend eternity in heaven, with God, as long as we are saved. That answer avoids the hard questions, and does nothing to encourage people to follow Jesus in this life. Those who would answer this way also tend to believe that people whose lives are going well have more faith than people whose lives are not going well. They believe that successful people are loved and blessed by God, and those whom they would deem unsuccessful are not. In other words, people suffer because they deserve to suffer.

There are no easy answers as to why people suffer. Suffering and evil come from our broken human nature. God does not make people suffer. In the midst of suffering, however, it might feel like God either made it happen or looked away and let it happen. If God is as good as Jesus says he is, neither of those can be true.

Part of the reason that people suffer is that we allow them to. We could alleviate much of the suffering in this world, if we wanted to. There is enough money, enough food, and probably even enough housing in this country, if we all took only what we needed and distributed the rest to those in need. If we worked together to solve man-made problems, we wouldn’t have to wonder about a good God. If we committed to doing good and not evil, to practicing love and not hate, to blessing and not cursing, we could show the world what God is like.

As long as we stand in the wings, comfortable with what we have, and willingly watch people suffer, we will continue to wonder if God is good. When we choose to act in love, humbly sacrificing for one another, we will demonstrate the love and mercy of God.

We were made to have a relationship with God and with one another, and to come together in support of one another. When we walk with those who suffer, we reveal a good and merciful God to those who are asking why.

Prayer - Merciful God, in my suffering I often question you, or turn away from you altogether. Forgive me when I let my pain determine my faith. Thank you for your mercy and your presence with me, even in the darkest of times. Show me the people around me who need to see you, and give me the courage and strength to be willing to suffer with the broken, to show your glory to a hurting world. Amen.

10/20/2026

Devotion - Fear

How would your life be different if you had no fear?
How would our society be different if there was no fear?
How would our world be different if there was no fear?

Fear is a powerful motivator that usually drives people in one of two directions: fight or flight. Because of fear, some people attack one another, verbally or physically, and make decisions in their own best interest. Others hide, afraid to speak up or even to be seen. Neither of these responses to fear is helpful, individually or as a society.

Think about the worst things in societies around the world right now and you will find most, if not all of them, are motivated by fear. Racism comes when white people fear that those of other races will replace them, which is a theory promoted by many powerful people in the United States right now. Elections bring out the worst in people as candidates use all means necessary to stir up fear in their base to ensure their base votes for them, and not for their opponent. Wars begin because leaders are afraid, so they attack their perceived enemy. All of these are very simplistic comments on very complex issues, but the root of those complex issues is fear.

Without fear motivating people to fight or flee, people could stay and speak, which would lead to understanding and peace. This isn’t to say there would be no disagreements, but it is to say that people could disagree civilly, and not feel the need to lash out and attack one another. If people weren’t afraid of losing their place, they would be able to have rational discussions and come to reasonable conclusions.

Fear and love are opposites and scripture tells us that perfect love casts out fear. God‘s perfect love for us means we do not need to fear. Though it is sometimes difficult to trust love from one whom we cannot see, to do so brings peace that passes understanding. To trust that God sees what is going on, knows what is going on, and is our good Shepherd who will help us navigate situations, means to choose peace over fear.

What are you afraid of right now? How are you responding to that fear? Do you lash out physically or verbally or in your thoughts, or do you withdraw and hope the thing will go away?

Give your fears to God and ask for his love to bring you peace, then listen to the Shepherd as he guides you along the way.

Prayer - God, it seems as though I have been conditioned to fear people and situations, and when I look at society today, I realize that is exactly what has happened. I don’t want to live in fear of people or of circumstances. I want to be at peace, recognizing that you are sovereign, and that walking in your will brings the peace that I seek. Help me see what I fear so I can see it in its proper perspective and not allow it to overwhelm me. Thank you for your steadfast love and your peace. Amen.

10/18/2026

Saturday Service
Oct 17th, 2026

10/16/2026

Devotion- Repent

John the Baptist is an interesting character in the Bible. He went out into the wilderness, ate locusts, and wore a camel hair tunic. Some people probably came to see him for the spectacle. Maybe many people came to see him because he was so unusual. However, his message was solid. He offered a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus also preached a message of repentance. Some people listened and some did not.

In scripture, the word we translate as repent is metanoia, which means to turn. It implies a definitive turn, not just looking to the side. Repentance is a full change from going one way to going another way. Repentance is not easy in most cases, but it is absolutely necessary for a follower of Christ.

Sometimes we need to repent for big things, like where we have injured another person, whether that be physically, mentally, or emotionally. Those of us who follow Jesus need to be quick to hear his call to repentance, particularly in those situations, and then to turn and work toward mending the relationship as best we can.

Sometimes we need to repent for things that seem small, little steps to the left or to the right from the path we are called to follow. These little sideways steps that we take are difficult to see in most cases, and sometimes we end up turned in the wrong direction without being able to see how we got there. Like the frog in the pot of water, things have begun to boil around us, and we haven’t felt the heat until we have begun walking in the entirely wrong direction.

Repentance takes humility and that is what makes it difficult. We tend to be stubborn, especially about what we think is right. Stubborn hearts do not hear the call for repentance. Stubborn minds fixate on their own plans rather than the plans of God for the world. Stubborn wills focus on their own desires, not the desires of God.

Repentance, in Christianity, is not only allowed, but it is required. None of us is always walking in the right direction or doing all the right things or thinking all the right thoughts. We need to know that heeding God’s call and turning away from the world is what we are supposed to be doing. Sometimes that turn is subtle and nobody really notices it because we were open to God‘s correction early. Other times, the turn is drastic, and part of the reason we don’t turn is that we don’t want people to see how far we have strayed from the way of Jesus. Embarrassment is not a reason to ignore God’s call to repentance.

If we are willing to seek God‘s answer, it is good to often ask the question of where we are turned in the wrong direction. God will respond gently with an invitation to turn back, and the Holy Spirit will guide us to the right path if we are willing to listen. All that we need to return is there if we are willing to humble ourselves and follow Jesus.

Prayer - God, I am like a wayward child, often going my own way. Forgive me when the shiny things of the world distract me from the things of God. Help me see where I am on the wrong path in my thoughts, in my words, and in my actions. Once I am aware, give me the strength to turn and to seek forgiveness in the place where my waywardness has hurt others. I want to walk in your truth all the time. Thank you for your faithfulness to always draw me back to you. Amen.

10/13/2026

Clothing bank needs - 10/13/26

Men's:
Hoodies - size 2XL-3XL
Shoes - size 9 1/2 and larger

Women's:
Shoes - size 10 and larger

Kids:
Diapers - size 2 and up
Pull ups - all sizes

Misc:
Medium weight blankets

Please bring donations to our cafe, 408 West Main Street in Centralia.
Thank you.

10/13/2026

Devotion - Where is God?

In the Old Testament, God is said to be in a variety of places. In Genesis, he is in the garden, walking with Adam and Eve. In Exodus, he is a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day, guiding the Israelites out of Egypt and into the promised land. Once the temple is built, he is on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies. He said to be on a mountain with Moses, giving the Ten Commandments, and visiting Abram in the form of an angel.

According to the Old Testament writers, God was in specific locations at specific times for specific purposes. In the New Testament, God comes to earth as a human in Jesus who is called Immanuel, God with us.

Jesus spends his life in ministry, revealing who God is and showing his disciples and us what it looks like to really love God and one another. God works through the power of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, both through Jesus, and after Pentecost through people.

That is the academic answer to the question Where is God, but not the answer people want when they ask God, where are you?

When people are suffering, physically or emotionally or relationally, they don’t need to hear about God in the Old Testament or in the New Testament, nor do they need to hear about a God who is off in heaven somewhere out there. People who cry out to God because they can’t see him or hear him need to know that he is near, as near as their next breath, whether they feel him or not.

Believing that God is everywhere, truly believing it, can bring us comfort, because if God is everywhere, he can see and hear and feel and know what I’m going through. If I trust that God is everywhere, I trust that God is present even in my worst times, and I believe that God’s presence makes a difference.

It isn’t wrong to cry out. God, where are you? It isn’t wrong to want God to miraculously intervene in our horrible situations. It is wrong, however, to decide how God is going to intervene or to say that if he doesn’t do what we want him to do, he must not exist.

God very much exists and is very much at work in the world right now. When you find yourself needing him, cry out to him, and then wait expectantly for his answer, not the answer you want him to give, but the one he gives.

Prayer - God, in my struggling, and in my suffering, I often cry out, where are you? My world seems dark and I’m asking for the light. Forgive me when I dictate how you should answer that question and I look only for the thing I want to see. Help me to wait for your response when I ask, where are you, because I know your response will be better than what I want you to say. Hold me in the dark and help me wait for the light. Amen.

10/11/2026

Gather Service 10/10/26

10/09/2026

Devotion – Trials

We all go through times of trial and temptation. These come in a variety of forms, from the betrayal of a friend or loved one to a frightening diagnosis to feelings of loneliness or hopelessness. When these times come, it is natural to want an escape. No one likes to be tested or tempted and our first inclination may very well be to get away in whatever way possible. However, the easy way out is rarely the way that leads to growth.

In trying to get out of difficult situations, we often use a “so that”. When we have been betrayed, we may distance ourselves from people “so that” we don’t get hurt again. When we feel lonely, we may find unhealthy things to occupy our time “so that” we don’t feel lonely. When someone accuses us of something, we may work to defend ourselves “so that” people see us as we want to be seen. People lie, cheat, and steal “so that” they can get themselves out of sticky situations.

Instead of a “so that” to make yourself feel better, try a “this”. A “this” is between you and God. It requires a level of honesty that we don’t usually practice with one another. It means seeing the situation as it really is and making peace with it in the presence of God.

I have been betrayed, and “this” is where I am.

I’ve been diagnosed, and “this” is where I am.

I’m lonely, and “this” is where I am.

I’ve been accused, and “this” is where I am.

Inviting God into the “this” of your life means inviting the light to come into the darkness of your situation. There is no growth without light. As long as we stay in the dark, we stay the same. Open your tried and tempted self to the God who sees, and rest in His work within you.

Prayer – Lord, you know how I deal with trials and temptations. You know every “so that” and why I protect myself in that way. Show me another way. I invite you into my struggles, especially the ones I want to escape. Be near me and show me how it looks and feels to be present within them. “This” is where I am. Meet me here. Amen.

Address

100/104 S Rock Street
Centralia, WA
98531

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Telephone

+13608270264

Website

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