John VanDerWalker

As citizens of the greater Spokane/Coeur d’Alene community we have been visited with senseless violence once again. Delbert “Shorty” Belton of Spokane was beaten to death Wednesday night, Aug. 21,  in the parking lot of the Eagles Lodge as he waited for a friend. Two teenage boys have been arrested and could be charged with is death.

My office is in my home and has tons of theology books on the shelves as well as books for exegetical work. On the walls are various things that represent faith, a communion plate gifted to me by a congregation in a previous assignment.

I am not a gun nut, I am an outdoorsman. I am a Democrat, I am a Christian, I am a believer in the rule of law and I cherish life, not only mine but of all. And I am disgusted.

I have to admit, for most Christians some of the things that my church adheres to and has held tightly to in the past are a little goofy.

Technology is a broad term and it is an influence on my faith development. It is also impacting my work as a leader in a community of faith. 

First the negative.

I just walked out of the Spokane Valley Community of Christ after enjoying a free lunch and was met by my friend Keith, who has been managing the finances of the congregation and the Summer Free Lunch outreach offered by the church during the month of August.