Rick McPherson – Page 2 – Pacific NW Outreach Inc. with Rick McPherson RESTORATION

LOVE, ACCEPTANCE & FORGIVENESS

February 27, 2024October 16, 2024 Rick McPherson

Rick McPherson February Newsletter, 2024

“Love is always patient and kind.

It is never jealous.

Love is never boastful or conceited.

It is never rude or selfish.

It does not take offense and is not resentful.

Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins, but delights in the truth.

It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.”

I Corinthians 13:4-8

We are always accepted by God.

We are received.

We are welcomed.

We are adopted.

We are approved of and we are loved.

Understanding this amazing love of God gives us confidence, peace and joy.

God never looks at the outward appearance of man; He always looks at the heart.

Jesus receives us, and embraces us with open arms.

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me,

I will by no means cast out.”

Jesus, John 6:37

Thank you…PROVIDENT Ministries

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“Forgiveness is setting the prisoner free,

Only to find out that the prisoner was me.”

Corrie Ten Boom

“And forgive us our trespasses…as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Jesus’ Prayer, Matthew 6:12-14

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MOST IMPORTANTLY…

Your prayers and financial help are really appreciated! Thank you, sincerely, and God bless you for remembering this ministry. Whether you write a check and mail it, use the PayPal feature or prefer a monthly donation on your credit card, every dollar helps us reach people and improve their lives with the truth of God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness.

Don’t forget to tune in to Spotify and catch the weekly Podcast. Find us at, Rick McPherson RESTORATION, and be sure to tell your friends and family. Other addresses and links for the Facebook videos are at the bottom of the page.

Be mindful that the Lord Himself told the Disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit empowered them to be witnesses, “…to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

With modern technology we are able to fulfill this mandate, as never before.

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“HEY BUDDY, ‘YA GOT THE TIME?”

January 29, 2024October 16, 2024 Rick McPherson

Rick McPherson January Newsletter, 2024

“Time flies when you’re having fun!” “We had the time of our life!”

“Time is running out!” “You can’t make up for lost time!” “Time waits for no one!”

The wisest man who ever lived said, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) And, no, he wasn’t talking about football, baseball or hockey. He was talking about life. He went on to note: birth, death, killing, healing, weeping, laughing, mourning, dancing, losing, keeping, discarding, loving, hating and even war and peace. There is, “a time for every purpose under heaven.”

We would like to challenge that and use our 1,440 minutes each day as we want to and be the master of our own destiny. Average people spend 28 years sleeping, 15 years working, 13 years relaxing, 7 years doing housework, 6 years caring for children, 5 years socializing, 4 years eating and drinking and a single year traveling. So, how do you spend your time?

It does get confusing trying to determine whether our time investment makes any eternal difference, or is it all just temporary? It was Helen Lemmel in 1922 who wrote the classic, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” Perhaps, she was influenced by Albert Brumley when he wrote, “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” Me thinks that Helen and Albert had, “Set your mind (affection) on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2), as their inspiration. Perhaps, it was Romans 12:2 “…do not be conformed to this world…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Regardless, they wrote profound theology in colloquialisms to help us delineate the temporary from the eternal. The dilemma we have is determining the difference between the two and then choosing how we invest our time. After all, no one has ever seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer.

We know that there are only two things that will endure and are eternal…God’s Word and the souls of people. Peter said, “…the grass withers and its flower falls away but the word of the Lord endures forever.” (I Peter 1:24) Solomon wrote, “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7) Therefore, reading, memorizing, meditating and obeying God’s Word has eternal value, as do people. All lives matter. Human life is sacred. Investing our time in God’s Word and people has eternal significance. Therefore, how do we invest our time? As Francis Schaeffer wrote, “How Shall We Then Live?”

Jesus answered these questions in the Sermon on the Mount, saying:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

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Focus

January 24, 2024October 9, 2024 Rick McPherson

Pastor Rick McPherson Liberty Bible Church of the Nazarene in Vancouver Washington

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

November 28, 2023July 23, 2024 Rick McPherson

Rick McPherson November Newsletter, 2023

My wife has helped me with research and information for over fifty years. She forwarded the following from Dr. Henry Cloud, @ boundaries.me; and asked what I thought. I thought they were great and would be perfect for this Newsletter entering … THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

1. NURTURE your relationships.

2. SAVOR your blessings.

3. PRACTICE gratitude.

4. FORGIVE.

5. AND GIVE UP THE STUFF you are holding on to.

I know that none of us need yet another list at this busy time of year. But, take a moment, fix yourself a hot cocoa, find a comfy chair and think about a couple (or all) of the items on the list. I want to make sure that I don’t just think about them, I want to do them. All of the items require some action; otherwise, what’s the point?

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CHRISTMAS TOYS & GIFTS

We are continuing our traditions of delivering toys and gifts to Native American Reservations at Christmas. This year we are receiving items from two television stations and a local tire distribution center. These are brand new and we deliver them to the Quinault Reservation at Lake Quinault, WA, and Celilo Indian Village at the Yakama Reservation, The Dalles, OR. I wish I could take each of you with me and let you see the joy and happiness that these toys and gifts bring to children and adults. Let me just say, “thank you,” for your kindness and generosity as you give to make this a reality.

AND…

Did you know the verse, “it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven,” (Matthew 19:24) does not mean a sewing needle? In ancient times the gates had two large leaves and a smaller door called the eye of the needle intended only for the passage of pedestrians. When the large gates were closed, getting a camel through the eye of the needle, it required the camel to shed its load and bend its legs and neck. It was a difficult task that often left scratches. Jesus teaching was not that it was impossible for a rich man to get into heaven but a reminder that whether you are rich or poor you must shed your burdens, bend your neck in obedience, kneel before God and acknowledge Him that He is the only way to salvation. And on this journey you will get scratches along the way.

By Elise Wood

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Sound The Alarm

October 15, 2023July 23, 2024 Rick McPherson

Rick McPherson October Newsletter, 2023

It was a brisk fall day and I was Northbound on the Amtrak 8:40 a.m. to Tacoma. A friend had asked me to drive a new Kenworth T880 back to Vancouver. The sight of a 200 thousand dollar truck was slightly daunting knowing it would be in my care and control for the next several hours. The interior was computer-like with widgets and gadgets everywhere. Within minutes of leaving and finding the Southbound Interstate an alarm sounded over my left shoulder. “What is that?” I said, out loud. I checked all my systems …electrical, fuel, air, brakes and all my gauges and icons. Nothing! But the alarm sounded, again. And, again. “What is wrong with this truck?” I said, again, out loud. Then, the alarm sounded from the passenger side. “Ah, got it. Seat belt is undone and my travel bag is weighing on the seat. Truck thinks it’s a passenger. No seat belt. Alarm sounds. Move the bag to the floor. Perfect.” Now, I’m talking to myself.

When the alarm sounded again, I yelled, “Stop!” So, I did and walked around the truck checking tires, wheels, lights and everything else to find the cause. Nothing. Out of options, I decided to pray and ask God for some insight. Remember James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Right!

To my surprise I realized the alarm was intermittent and irregular. Hmmm? As I counted seconds between the alarm and thought about it sounding from both the driver’s side and passenger’s, it hit me. The alarm sounds whenever you leave the lane and drive over the marker lines on the road on each side of the truck. Ah, so that’s it…!

The alarm is a safety feature that keeps you in your lane.

Now, wouldn’t it be great if an alarm sounded every time we got outside our spiritual lane? Temptation, jealousy, revenge, dishonesty, lust, sloth and the like would all be met with an alarm sounding above our head and in our heart. Well…there is. God’s Word is described by King David in Psalm 19:9-11; “The ordinances, (codes, commands, directions, orders, statues), of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

Next time you’re on the highway of your life, look for the painted markers and thank Him for helping you stay in your lane.

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Special Prayers for Israel.

Pray for Healing. Pray for Restoration. Pray for Justice. Pray for Bravery.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.’ For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, ‘Peace is within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.” Psalm 122:6-9

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Tossed And Turned

September 15, 2023July 23, 2024 Rick McPherson

Rick McPherson September Newsletter, 2023

Don’t you hate it when you have to live your own advice? It’s just easier telling others what to do and how to do it, than it is living it yourself. Much easier! If you listen to my recent podcast on Spotify or watch the Facebook videos, you know I’ve been talking about, “Gratitude.” In fact, the recent edition is, “Gratitude Plus.” How’s that for emphasis? I was really drilling down on what Paul said, “Rejoice always…Pray without ceasing…In everything give thanks…For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16

It was good. I was happy. What’s next? Then, life happened to me. I tossed and turned in bed, arguing with God and demanding He answer my questions, Why? Where? When?… and a bunch of others that I won’t get into here. He reminded me of what I had been saying. Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks. This is the will of God for you. “If it’s good enough for others, it’s good enough for you…(Bucko!)”, I sensed Him say.

With a sincere apology for being ungrateful, I asked the Lord to help me and take a big spoonful of my own medicine and be grateful. Thank you, Lord! And, I mean it! Gratitude is a perspective and focus knowing that, “…all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Interesting that the last word of the verse is, “purpose.” I had included that word as one of the reasons we can be grateful. God gives purpose to our lives. We’re not just taking up space and doing our time, we’re fulfilling His purpose. In fact the previous scripture said, “…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Our ministry here is part of God’s purpose. You are a big part of His purpose because you pray for us, which is awesome. And, you support us financially, which is greatly appreciated. So, THANK YOU! We are very GRATEFUL!

Good News from Celilo Indian Village:

In last month’s Newsletter we asked for help buying backpacks for High School students. Another charity responded and purchased the items for the students. But, we were able to purchase SIX TEXAS INSTRUMENT CALCULATORS with the funds that were given to us. THANK YOU for your generous response!

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Just Past The Avocados

August 30, 2023July 23, 2024 Rick McPherson

Rick McPherson August Newsletter, 2023

I was minding my own business walking through a big box store on the way to produce to buy bananas when I stopped in my tracks. “Can’t be,” I said out loud.

“Christmas wrapping paper…in August!” I exclaimed. Again, out loud. “Unbelievable!” I muttered, and made a right turn just past the avocados.

As I think about it now, I shouldn’t be surprised. Just last week we were contacted, as a charitable, non-profit, to receive Christmas toys and gifts for the Native children on the Reservations. This continues our history of receiving gifts from TV stations and a large tire distribution warehouse that collect from all over the greater Portland and Vancouver metropolitan area and then give them to us and other charities for distribution. Truth be told, these gifts enable us to deliver to the families the means to have a wonderful and joyful Christmas. So…thank you to ALL of you who generously give to this ministry!

Additionally, the new and expanded social media ministry, including the weekly Podcast on Spotify and the videos on Facebook are reaching hundreds of people. At last count, we were over 2,500 in viewers and listeners. Candidly, I’m overwhelmed by the response. Amazing, is not a strong enough adjective to describe the impact. However, we are pursuing this avenue anticipating God’s continued blessing and provision. If you would like to contribute your prayer and financial support to this ministry please let us know. Our contact information is included in this Newsletter. Also, I will be in Beaumont, Texas for an in-home meeting, September 28, for those interested in knowing more about this ministry.

And, if you’re disoriented during your shopping experience, remember the Christmas wrapping paper is right there; near the bananas and avocados.

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Special Notice…

CELILO INDIAN VILLAGE has just called asking for help with backpacks for school. They need 15 for Elementary and 10 for High Schoolers. Can you help with an extra gift at this time? Thank you and God bless you!

READY OR NOT?

July 15, 2023July 23, 2024 Rick McPherson

Rick McPherson July Newsletter, 2023

Old cowboys say it all the time, “Only two things are certain in this life…death and taxes!” Hard to argue with an old cowboy, but I would add a third. Change.

Being creatures of habit, we like things to remain the same, thank you very much. Morning routine with coffee in your favorite mug, comfy shoes that get better with age, politicians that keep their word, (oops, sorry, lost my head there, for a minute), and pot- roast that’s the same, every time; are some of the things that bring pleasure to the daily grind. However, in the midst of the sameness, change happens. Like it or not…ready or not…change happens.

Change is happening for us at Pacific NW Outreach, Inc. We are expanding and enlarging the ministry through social media, specifically through Podcast, Face Book, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. These platforms will allow us to minister to thousands around the world. Today, I saw these words, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer.29:11

Recently, on a trip to Texas, I was sharing these plans with dear friends who listened attentively, and then a few days later called to say they would buy the equipment needed for the Podcast! Wow! Thank you!

Well, enough about that for now. Stay tuned for more information as the Podcast will be on Spotify and you can listen in…and tell your friends and mother-in-law, when she has you over for pot-roast!

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BTW “A vacation is what you take, when you can’t take, what you’ve been taking, any longer!” If you’re on vacation, ENJOY IT! Have a ball. Get sunburned. Sleep in a hammock. Wear a hat. Eat ice-cream. Sit by a fire. Jump in the lake. Relax!

BUT BEFORE YOU GO…PLEASE REMEMBER THE MISSION…YOUR PRAYERS AND GIFTS ENABLE US TO MINISTER…even during, “the good old summertime!”