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It's Wildfire Smoke Ready Week in Missoula County! I know - after such a cool start to the season, it's challenging to shift gears and start thinking about wildfires. But this week of warm, sunny days is ushering us closer to our traditional wildfire season in Western Montana and that means smoke. Smoke season in our area spans late July through early September. Happily, it is rarely smoky during that entire period but even a week or two of smoke can be a major bummer. In addition to obscuring...
As I set to compose this article, I am also considering the devastating news from a dear beloved friend who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. One of the most difficult questions any pastor can be asked is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” I still remember the phone call from my niece to inform me that my only sister had been called home due to ALS. I recall the agony in her voice when she said, “Uncle Bruce you are a pastor. Please tell me why God allowed my mother to suffer this way?” There are theological answers,...
The primarily male U.S. Supreme Court has recently determined American women cannot decide for themselves what to do with their bodies. It trashed their reproductive rights while fiercely defending (primarily male) rights to carry an AR 15. Let’s bring this discussion down to the local level. I would very much like to know where my legislative representatives Representative Mike Hopkins and Senator Shannon O’Brien, stand on reproductive rights and gun control? What legislative actions will they initiate, defend or oppose at the Montana Leg...
Dear Seeley Lake, I know you all like to celebrate the freedom you have with fireworks. Have you gone around your neighborhood and asked if anyone is a combat veteran and checked to see if fireworks negatively affect them? If you truly do value your freedom, these are the people to thank. The funny thing is, a lot of us have a Pavlovian response to the sounds fireworks produce and it’s one of the worst things to experience. It’s a little misdirected to purchase novelty explosive devices to set off if you are thankful for freedom. Buy a she...
Missoula Aging Services announced that it will be hosting weekly Medication Review appointments in partnership with the University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy. The hour-long appointments will be with both a UM Pharmacy student and a supervising licensed pharmacist and will be available Wednesday and Thursday afternoons beginning Wednesday, June 29 through Wednesday, Aug. 31. The appointments will be held at the Missoula Aging Services office located at 337 Stephens Avenue, Missoula. Kat...
THE SUMMER SLOWDOWN Following four years of a dramatic real estate market that saw rapid price appreciation, very limited inventory and multiple offers on many properties, the market has begun to stabilize. This year has seen the Federal Reserve raise rates in their effort to slow inflation. This has resulted in home mortgage rates rising from 3% in January for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage to 5.9% for the same mortgage today. This results in the monthly payment for a home purchase today to be nearly double what it was six months ago. Rising...
The Source and Summit of the Catholic Faith is the Holy Eucharist from Scripture on the Lord's Supper when Jesus blessed and broke the bread and said, "...eat. This is my body." Taking the chalice Jesus said, "Drink....this is my blood..." (Matthew 26:26-30). Jesus said, "...my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink" (John 6:22-[55]-71). In John 6:66, many disciples thought Jesus' saying was hard, so they walked no more with Him. Salvation is a gift for those with faith who cooperate...
I am writing in response to the Mountain Lakes Presbyterian Church Leaderships’ letter to the editor from the June 23 issue of the Pathfinder which purports to be a theological response to Pastor Jim Johnson’s “Biblical perspective.” The leadership claims it “dutifully” albeit “reluctantly” was stepping into the Biblical debate. It appears to this reader, however, that the leadership actually jumped at the opportunity to attack Pastor Johnson’s Biblical position without citing any Biblical precedent in support of their position. Rather,...
A number of people -- private citizens, elected legislators and state staff -- achieved a quiet accomplishment recently. During the 2021 Legislative Session, two bills (SB 262 and SB 263) were passed to revise the duties of the Forest Lands Taxation Advisory Committee (FLTAC) and charge that advisory committee to examine and modernize the tax rate on Forest Land (Class 10) properties. Members of FLTAC have been meeting since July 9, 2021. Members include four forestry experts appointed by both parties of Montana’s Senate and House, along w...
When discussing the topic of the sins of others we need to take a very humble stance. None of us are without sin and we all require the mercy of the sacrifice for sin that Jesus became. Fortunately, God inspired many scriptures to describe what sin is. So, we are without excuse. We’re all in the same boat, dependent totally on His salvation through the Christ event. We most certainly have, will or do find ourselves somewhere in the following “short list” of sin. “Sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostili...
If we expect respect then we should respect others, especially God, who is due our utmost praise and thanksgiving for His amazing commands that are not burdensome but awesome, since they are good for our souls. First commandment, we are to love God above everyone and everything else. This means we are to obey all of His commandments, not just the ones we choose. Second, we are to love all people by being merciful to their needs of body and soul such as providing food, clothing and shelter and charitably admonishing their sins, instructing them...
Springtime brings new life to the world. Deer, elk and other wildlife species start having their young and are more actively feeding in urban areas. While it's easy to enjoy seeing newborn fawns and bear cubs, there is a level of care that should be taken when observing and living around these animals. If you come across a fawn or elk calf by itself, leave the area and keep pets and children away to maximize the chance that the parent will return. This will also minimize the stress to the...
“Disaster comes upon disaster; rumor follows rumor; they shall keep seeking a vision from the prophet; instruction shall perish from the priest and counsel from the elders.” (Ezekiel 7:26) During a recent Bible study, someone shared a rumor about me that was going around among church people in the community. As one can imagine, all sorts of feelings came forth: hurt, anger, sadness, desire for vindication and truth, as this sort of rumor could be damaging to one’s credibility. Ultimately, the m...
As we watch the loons and trumpeter swans rear their young, it is easy to believe that the waters in the Clearwater Valley remains relatively pristine. And yes, compared to many other areas of the country we continue to enjoy relatively clean waters. However, multiple indicators demonstrate our waters are at risk. Reports of septic contamination in groundwater testing wells are routine in Seeley Lake. Blue-green algae blooms are becoming an increasing common occurrence in the early fall....
In response to the letter to the editor by Jim Johnson that appeared in the June 16 Pathfinder, I believe the very fact he chose to write that article reveals his church doesn’t welcome LGBTQ individuals. We are all created by God. God will be our final judge, not me....
I am writing in response to “A Biblical perspective” printed in the June 16th Pathfinder’s Letter to the Editor by Jim Johnson. First, the “letter to the editor” column may not be the most appropriate place to have a theological debate. However, since my colleague has opened that door, I dutifully, though reluctantly, step through to respond to the unsubstantiated allegations and cultural assumptions portrayed as “a Biblical perspective.” Second, the very notion that “pride culture” can be reduced to one thing is nonsense. Third, contrary t...
Summer is upon us and that means Nature Conservancy crews are deep into their season of fieldwork but we haven't been idle over the winter and spring. We were excited to complete the first leg of a two-part sale of land in the Ninemile/Woodchuck area to the Bureau of Land Management. The first 4,600 acres were transferred in April and we expect to close soon on an additional 6,400 acres bringing the total to 11,000 acres permanently conserved for public use. Lots of numbers, but the bottom line...
“Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:3 In William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” Lady Macbeth, being accomplice to the murder of King Duncan, soon begins to feel the repercussions of her deeds. After washing the blood from her hands, she begins to imagine that it stains her hands still, crying not only her famous curse against its spot, but also, “... Here’s the smell of blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.” An oft overlooked but very telling line by her physician arguably spe...
An image of the Pride Flag started an article on June 9th that needs to have Biblical truth shined on it. True love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth,” (1 Corinthians 13:6). The Pride culture revels in unrighteousness and rejects the existence of truth in God’s Word. True love is based on the Word of God as of the Bible. Pride month, as celebrated by the sexually humanistic, anti-God culture of today, endorses and flaunts sinful behavior right in God’s face. The activities associated with Pride month target public...
From previous articles, we've become familiar with psychological complexes, however, each was introduced from a personal perspective. Now, let me introduce complexes from a group, collective or social perspective. Recall that complexes are essentially an accumulation of experiences related to a common theme, such as experiences with one's father. For social complexes the development is similar only now, the experiences are related to a social theme. When we consider the many common social...
The day after my wife Kathy died, which would have been her 66th birthday, as morning rose the Sky wasn’t as Big. With the utmost respect for all of you, for me Kathy was Montana. I just didn’t realize it until she was gone. It’s the things we take for granted that we miss the most when they’re gone. I want to thank everyone for all the support and help you gave Kathy and also all the support you gave me when I was the Seeley Lake Fire Chief. We, as a community, went through a lot together but it’s time for me to move on. I’ll be leaving See...
We never know what the upcoming wildfire season will hold for us but we do know one thing: It will come and fires will burn. It is inevitable, especially in this beautiful, historically fire prone area. This can be hard to remember when the grass is green and growing, the balsamroot is blooming, and the larch are awakening. But now is a critical time to prepare for wildfire. As June slides into July it is also an important time to remember to do our part to prevent human caused wildfires as well...
Have you ever had these moments in your life where you find yourself pleading and begging to understand why you are downcast? Well the Psalmist who wrote Psalms 42 definitely has. I often find myself in seasons of my life where I become downcast and heavy laden but as a believer in Christ, shouldn't I be filled with this overwhelming joy all the time? Yes! And no...Allow me to explain why. Joy is a long-term expression of gratitude and elation. The presence of despair and downcast is not somethi...
Well, it's that time of year again to practice your right to vote. We have the freedom to choose those people who represent us in the US Congress, the Montana Legislature and in the courts. I am so grateful for our democracy, as imperfect as it is, it allows us to take part and share our voice. Don't be embarrassed if you don't know who to vote for, I'd recommend reading the Pathfinder for information, and most candidates have a website or Facebook page where you can find more information. I...
During the 2020 election, voters in House District 92 voted to legalize the sale of adult-use marijuana in Montana. Although the Libertarian in me supported legalization, I had not campaigned for or against the initiative, knowing that if approved, it would require legislation as the language in the initiative made it vulnerable to being overturned in court. During the 2021 Legislative session, I authored House Bill 701 (HB701). It passed with large bipartisan majorities and allowed for the...
