Last weekend, we went on for a short hike again. This was our third time to go to the Forest Park, which is the big forest between Beaverton and Portland. The second time when we went there, we got rained on. The good thing was that we had 2 umbrellas. Darian got one and I got one. Justin had his rain coat. Steve as usual, stayed in the rain. Even in the rain, the forest was so beautiful. The mist came up and the rain washed the leaves. I have always loved the rain. watching the children playing in the rain, always remained me how I did the same when I was a child.
Last weekend, it was a sunny day when we went for the hike. I love the fall weather. The air smelled so fresh and one could smell the fragrant from the trees. The leaves turned the color and were falling. The whole forest floor was covered by the yellow and red leaves. Right after one whole night's rain, the trail was very muddy. Steve got his new trail run shoes. He was running back and forth between the hiking trails, kids and I. The kids were playing in the mud puddle anywhere they could find. I was walking behind everyone. The forest was so quiet with so few people around. I felt so free and happy under the Sun. I was thinking about my work (can't help it. I am awfully busy at work) and life in Oregon. I thought about the churches we have been to since we came to Oregon. So far we have been to quite several churches. Here is the list:
- Oak Park Church (don't recall the actual name)
- Solid Rock
- Beaverton Four Square
- Sonrise Church
- Church of Nazarene
- Rock Creek Four Square
Some churches we went only went one time. Some churches we went a couple times or more. Beaverton Four Square is a really big church. Justin likes it because the children]s program made him laugh. Sonrise, we were there the week they had a pastor from Uganda to preach about Mission Africa. So we never really heard any preaching from its pastor yet. Church of Nazarene is reasonably small. They have a round building with a sharp roof that looks like a big tent. It has very beautiful and very big long wood beams. It is very unique. However, I did not like the people. Then Rock Creek Four Square, a small church within very short walking distance from where we live. Steve laughed that we went furthest church first, then closet one last, which is opposite from common ways.
For some reason, we felt that more people in Oregon go to Church than the people in California. There are so many big churches with so many members. Since I have only been to the Gathering, I really don't have much to compare to. I guess in a way, if it is a big church, people tend to know the names.
I had to admit that I miss Solid Rock. I miss the preaching. I never "shopped" around for churches. This time I am doing it. I felt the difference between the church preachings. Steve has no such strong feelings. From his perspective, all churches are saying the same thing to him. Each person seeking different things from church. I love the "lecture" style. Due to many young people go to Solid Rock. The preaching is more target to the young audience. The preachor's style is a lot more like college instructor. In the past 7 weeks, he has been on the book of Corinthians. We are only on Chapter 3, the first several lines. Every sense was read and everything was analyzed. It is not just about what Paul had said, and why he was saying it. the preaching also includes who Paul was; what he was doing in the city of Corin; how he became Paul, the apostle. Everything was so detailed. I am learning the history, the people and Bible.
So where are we going from here? Since Solid Rock is so huge, they have lots of house churches that meet in someone's house over the week days. That probably the only way to meet people. If we want to know more about the church, we have to find a house church to go to. I think that we are going to spend some time to explore Solid Rock. Like most of the things, I don't know if Solid Rock is some place I want to stay. As for now, the preaching is good. I like the learning. I like the "lecture". I just can't handle how huge this church is.
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