“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have
always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem
invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“The most powerful spiritual weapon at the disposal of those who believe is often forgotten, locked away in obscurity, available but misunderstood. Prayer, rightly understood and practiced, is a gift God gives us reminding us that He has shared causality with us. Prayer is not a weak plea; it is infused with genesis power." - Pastor Monty

In this after Christmas sermon, guest speaker Pastor Dwight Smith explores Mary's response when she learns that she's going to give birth to the Messiah. Her words were powerful.

Christmas has become so complicated. Take a break from the chaos with Monty Wright and Snoqualmie Valley Alliance to get back to the real, simple reason for the season: the Messiah born to bring life and love to the world.

“God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.” - Unknown

“The quickest way for anyone to reach the sun and the light of day is not to run
west, chasing after the setting sun, but to head east, plunging into the darkness
until one comes to the sunrise.” -  Gerald Sittser, A Grace Disguised

"...in worship we cease being predators who by stealth approach everyone as prey that we can pull into our center; we respond to the center. We are privileged listeners and respondents who offer ourselves to God, who creates and redeems... Many a congregation when it assembles in church must look to the angels like a muddy puddly shore at low tide; littered with every kind of rubbish and odds and ends -- a distressing sort of spectacle. And then the tide of worship comes in, and it's all gone: the dead sea urchins and jellyfish, the paper and the empty cans and the nameless bits of rubbish. The cleansing sea flows over the whole lot. So we are released from a narrow selfish outlook on the universe by a common act of worship."

- Eugene Peterson, Reversed Thunder

When the veil between our human reality and the ever-present spiritual reality is removed, we see that the hum at the center of the universe is worship. A divine song of beauty declaring the holiness and worthiness of our God who dwells in colored light that is beyond our description. - Pastor Monty

 I think my biggest concern about the American church today is our worship of hyperindividualism. This results in a church that is self-indulgent, myopic, and believes she does not need God. The end result is a church that worships itself.” - Pastor Monty

Jesus is not impressed with a big church, a slick church or a popular church. The best technology does not make Him swoon, and the most charismatic of preachers do not amaze Him. Jesus loves and saturates a faithful church, a humble church, a believing church. These He infuses with His presence and grace and off ers opportunities to share in the great mission of God. - Pastor Monty