Standing in the Gap for Oregon

Portland, Oregon Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it then you will find rest for your souls..."  Jeremiah 6:16   Portland is the largest city in Oregon, and as such, many eyes are on the city. In focusing our prayers on Portland, we have previously looked at the early history and places and events that indicate a need for repentance and for spiritual cleansing of the city. The early “crimp” trade along the waterfront, the bootlegging during Prohibition and instances of corruption among early officials are all areas for repentance and healing. Many local Christians have prayed and pulled down the spiritual strongholds established in the rough-and-tumble history of Portland, and we need to continue to stand in the gap for the Metro area.   We speak of re-digging “old wells,” but Portland’s history seems more like multiple underground streams when we research the various...

  Hayden Island, Portland, OR …. nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6: 10-11   Prohibition was passed in Oregon in 1914, and took effect in 1916, four years before it went into effect nationally in 1920. The Christian Women’s Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League were campaigning for the banning of alcohol from the late 1800’s through the early years of the 20 th century. Those in favor of prohibition saw it as a solution to the problem of men who spent their time – and money – in taverns, instead of supporting their wives and children. Alcohol consumption contributed to domestic violence, child abuse and other social ills. By banning this evil, those promoting prohibition believed it would free those affected from the debilitating effects ...

The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.  Isaiah 35:1   We have covered ten of the thirty-six Oregon counties in our blog so far. This week we are looking at the county just to the west of Wallowa and Union Counties in the northeastern section of the state.     Umatilla County was established in 1862 out of part of Wasco County. Its northern border is the Columbia River. Like many places in Oregon, it was gold that first drew pioneers to the area who then realized the country was a good place to raise cattle. By 1868 the town of Pendleton had become the county seat and remains so. In 1881 the arrival of the railroad made dryland wheat farming practical. Other types of agriculture were limited, however, in an area that grew sagebrush best until the Umatilla Irrigation Project was established early in the 20 th  century. Then "the desert bloomed" and the economy began to grow, especially in the western section ...

Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa County Oregon And there is no creature  hidden  from His sight, but all  things are  naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we  must give  account.  Hebrews 4:13 Wallowa County, in the northeast corner of Oregon, is one of those places on my Wish List, along with Crater Lake. Nope, never been there, but hope to visit someday. The geology is fascinating, and unusual, like a little piece of the Swiss Alps stuck up in the corner of the state. The Snake River and Hells Canyon run along the eastern edge between parts of Idaho and Washington. To the west is Union and Umatilla Counties with Baker County to the south. It was established in 1887, carved out of the eastern section of Union County. This is Nez Perce country, the home of Chief Joseph, one of our most well-known Native Americans. The Nez Perce were forced to leave their homeland, the Wallowa Valley, in 1877. Instead of going to the reservation in Idaho,...