From a Pastor's Point of View

joekmac

  • 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

  • Shining Through Division

         I am a pastor serving a church comprised of people from different theological backgrounds. With a constant eye on predictions for the United Methodist Church’s next General Conference, my heart races a little bit when thinking about what the… Continue reading

  • Faith in the Time of Covid

         One of the biggest challenges we face as a religious community in Covid is losing our identity. As a pastor, I struggle with not being as involved in my parishioners’ life as I would be under normal circumstances. I… Continue reading