From a Pastor's Point of View

  • What Do We Mean by Darkness?

         Sometimes I am guilty of using “churchy” words without explaining myself. There are phrases that we throw around without knowing the full extent of their meaning. What we do is set up boundaries for those who use familiar language… Continue reading

  • A Fantasia on Christmas Carols

         One of my favorite seasonal musical selections is “Fantasia on Christmas Carols” by the great English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. The piece starts very somberly with a single cello and a baritone voice who musically narrates through the darkness.… Continue reading

  • What Have I Surrendered?

         Today I find myself in the precarious position of wanting to stop and take a moral inventory of myself. The question that drives my curiosity is, “What have I surrendered to move from darkness into the light?” As I… Continue reading

  • We Come Into the Light, Right Now

         There are some watered-down theological assumptions out in the world that our real reward is after death. The immediacy of a life filled with God’s love is not as crucial in the here and now. After all, why strive… Continue reading

  • Saved By Grace; Follow By Choice

         In many Christian circles, the debate about conversion centers around the moment of belief and our actions, and the holy mystery surrounding us. While I know that we have nothing to do with the gift, we have agency in… Continue reading

  • The Great Light May Not Be What We Expect

         I cannot help but be intrigued by the statement from the prophet Isaiah, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Is. 9:2a CEB). Notice, the passage never describes what the “great light” looks like. For all… Continue reading

  • Who is Jesus to Me?

         Such an easy question; Who is Jesus to Me? I can easily say friend, redeemer, comforter, philosopher, etc. All these titles are accurate, but I think there is more to the story. In prayer, I hear the Savior inviting… Continue reading

  • The People that Walk in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light

    “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.” (Is. 9:2).      There is a familiar hymn whose chorus reads, “For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the… Continue reading

  • Tear Open the Heavens

    “If only you would tear open the heavens and come down!” (Is. 64:1 CEB).      Advent is a season that calls us into a re-examination of our faith life. What are the things that we keep in the shadows; that… Continue reading

  • Et Lux Perpetua

         Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it is hard to believe that the end of a bizarre year is here. My initial response is to through my hands up in the air and shout, “Hallelujah! Good riddance to… Continue reading