The Disreputable Bede

The Venerable Bede was probably the most learned person in England while alive ... I'm not him. ;-)

I serve as a volunteer pastor in a non-denominational, charismatic church in Bellevue, Washington. I'm very much boringly orthodox in my theology; small-c catholic. Trying to keep it real.

I love church history, Corrie Ten Boom, 90s Hillsongs, Acts is probably my favorite book of the Bible, and I think 5-point Calvinism is super weird.

I'm married with three kids and raise a flock of chickens.

The "Cyber" Account: Tyson, Chicken Rancher 🐓 (npub1dr3…mqw6)
Personal Blog: http://butnotlost.blogspot.com/

Last Notes

2026-06-30 18:51:46 GMT

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This is amazing! Will it be displayed in the new library?

2026-06-26 01:09:03 GMT

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I laughed out loud and also shook my head at this line: "Longevity creates problems. Those who live over 90 and still have two brain cells to rub together find that their friends and most of their offspring have already passed. It is lonely at the top."
This is a really good insight. How long do you really want to live? I think 90 would be great, but probably not 100. I reserve the right to change my mind!

2026-01-29 18:13:15 GMT

One of the people who made a big impression on me is Keith Green. He was a hippie in the 70s, found Jesus in the Jesus movement, had a tremendous Christian music career, then tragically died in a plane crash at age 28.
I discovered him when I was in university and was really touched by his "sold out for Jesus" attitude. He sometimes offended people in his concerts with songs like "Asleep at the Light" that criticized spiritual complacency.
Sometimes I wonder why God allowed him to die so soon, but then I think what a tragedy it would have been if he somehow went sideways. Like, what if he survived till today and was a big MAGA supporter?
One of my favorite Keith Green songs: https://youtu.be/eyy89AtwEHU?si=CsZfcKt7TY2ni5oE
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2026-01-12 16:00:29 GMT

Good morning, friends. I have good news: The Lord is on His throne.
Jesus said, "Take heart, for I have overcome the world."

2025-11-21 22:46:25 GMT

Do things get better? Yes, they can and will.
Will things get worse? Yes, they can and will.
We each are small motes in the overall scheme of things, but God has placed us where we are and when to do the best we can with what circumstances we're given. Be a good steward.
Love your family, your friends, your neighbors, and yes even your enemies. Use the gifts that He's given you to bless others.

2025-06-14 22:04:29 GMT

Them: "America is a Christian nation!"
Me: "Ok" *makes protest sign*
Them: "No, not like that!"
+++++
I usually don't like mixing the flag and scripture, but in this case I'll do it. You want Christian nationalism? Then read your bible and practice it.
This sign was a hit btw. A lot of people asked to take a photo of it. I like to think that I taught more of the Bible today outside the church than I have in a while.
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2025-04-22 17:27:24 GMT

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There's a bronze statue outside the Josephinum Catholic church in downtown Seattle. It's a bench with a figure sleeping on it. It looks like a homeless person—a common sight downtown. When you get closer and look at the uncovered feet, you see that they have holes in them. Then you realize they are the nail-pierced feet of our Lord.
"Whatever you do unto the least of these brothers of mine, you do unto me."
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2024-11-26 16:05:31 GMT

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I imagine the software/firmware part was trickier. ;-)

2024-11-23 00:58:29 GMT

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Love it! I've been thinking of the same thing. I was hoping to build one together with one of my daughters as a summer project.

2024-08-07 19:50:03 GMT

In Pentecostal/Charismatic circles and less so in broader evangelical Christianity, there is a focus on "doing big things" for God: making disciples, having a healing ministry, planting churches, going overseas as a missionary.
But as I've grown as a Christian, I feel that the most impressive accomplishments are those that others won't see: living a holy life, treating your family members well, encouraging the timid, helping the weak, developing the spiritual fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
I guess that's why I am drawn towards Christians who been faithful in obscure ministry (Corrie Ten Boom quietly ministered to mentally handicapped children for decades before WWII) or have suffered well (Watchman Nee spent 20+ years in prison; Corrie spent the last years of her life partially paralyzed by a stroke and unable to talk).
One of my favorite scenes from Brother Sun, Sister Moon—a biographical movie of St Francis (very hippie)—is where Francis is rebuilding a countryside chapel stone by stone. He's not interested in famous deeds, though later in life he reportedly preached the gospel to the Sultan Malek al-Kamil.
In the end, God knows our quiet victories and those will be celebrated in heaven where the first are last and the last first. If He chooses to use us in a public way, then that's beside the point.