Updated March 14, 2010

Lily is my bride and best friend since 11/15/83. We are what many now call empty nesters. Polite circles refer to us as mature. The body ages, but I don't believe the Lord intends for the mind and spirit to become stiff or brittle. Neither do I think it is God's will for the older to be set aside and politely told they can't play anymore.

We have four grown sons, two daughters-in-law, (one more on 10/10/10) and one grandchild, Autumn. One son is in Texas, two are in California and one is in Oregon.

Before attending George Fox Evangelical Seminary I was a general store manager for Kmart, managing stores in California, inner city LA, Texas, Washington and Oregon. I learned how to be a manager. Please see video below. During that time, Lily filled in for my many family absences. I didn't realize I was married to my job.

A pastor told me Kmart, my career, was my God. He was right. Now, with so many folks like me looking for steady employment, those with jobs today are even more inclined to give their career precedence over God, spouse and family. Just as I was, people today don't understand God never intended anything to give us our identity except God. It took me a year to understand my identity was not being a general store manager. If I had been the child of God I thought I was, being stripped of my false identity would not have hurt so much. Now I look around and see so many doing exactly as I did, getting their identity from their job, ministry, spouse, talent.

I can't live my life over, but it would be nice to somehow warn others not to do as I did. Having stepped in so many potholes it would be nice if I could help someone avoid the ones with my name on them. So I do spiritual direction for George Fox Evangelical Seminary, write articles for The Examiner and this year started my fifth year of daily reading and updating my through the Bible in a year reading plan.

I thank God that God is faithful. God gave me a faithful wife who continues to delight me with her passion for God, people, life, and even me. As I continue looking for a regular job she continues to remind me that Jeremiah 29:11 applies to me as well as everyone else. When doubt rudely barges in we reflect on all the times God has been with us before. Why should this time be any different?

My vision, despite my management background, is to be a rope holder, an encourager, a helper. I think God wants all of us to invest more in people than methods and procedures. The God I read about in the Bible is all about restoration and reconciliation, but it's up to us to heed God's voice. God calls, sometimes gently, sometimes with great force, but call God does. Acting on what we hear in our heart is between us and the Lord.

I see myself as a Christian counselor; communications manager, administrative pastor, associate Pastor, office Manager or ... I am open to God's will. We have lived in Portland since 2001 but we are willing to go anywhere if it is God's will. We are members of Rolling Hills Community Church, a wonderful community where Lily works with child care and I am on the Tech Team.

I love video editing. It started as a hobby in May, 2002. If I were wealthy I would do people’s video work for free. Come to think of it, it seems I do a lot for free anyway, but it did help with tuition and helps still. Word of mouth gradually converted a passion into a small business. It was encouraging to be asked to show one of my videos at the Inaugural Banquet for George Fox University’s 12th President, Robin E. Baker.

Occasionally I do projects for non-profits like Savior Ministries, Royal Family Kids Camp, Teen Reach Adventure Camp, Innovative Ministries, etc. I also do video work for individuals and business.

The name Yukon Angel Productions comes from our two dogs, Yukon and Angel. Yukon died of cancer in 2005. Angel died of a broken heart a couple of weeks later. Yukon was five. Angel was thirteen. Yes, Lily and I are (big) dog lovers. We raised our boys with dogs. Yukon is the only dog we’ve been with who died young. We always had two dogs to stagger their ages. The younger would help the older stay young. Losing two dogs we loved at nearly the same time was very difficult. It has taken us a long time to be ready for another dog. Of course we want another Great Pyrenees, but that will have to wait till God gives us a house of our own. Till then, Lily always makes where ever we live a home.

When I started seminary in September of 2004 my goal was to give the Lord and Lily the next, (God-willing) 28 years. I guess I hoped it would somehow make up for the 28 years I gave Kmart. That means I need to work till I am 83.

I received my M-Div 4/25/08. I also received a certificate in Spiritual Formation and now Lord ... I am waiting on Jeremiah 29:11.