From a Pastor's Point of View

God’s presence

  • My Descent into Darkness

         I stand here, letting go of a hope that does not seem to come. Where is the Messiah that Jesus claimed to be? My faith shakes as I struggle to find a message of promise that does not appear.… Continue reading

  • I Wait for Greatness to Come

         He arrives on the back of a donkey, and nothing happens. We paraded down the street, waiting and hoping to reestablish God’s authority over the land. I am a little nervous that Jesus may not be who he claims… Continue reading

  • The End of the Beginning

         Today we celebrate the arrival of the Messiah. He is in Jerusalem now, so we wait for him to show his authority over the Romans. God will be with him, and in one fail swoop, he will reclaim the… Continue reading

  • A New Way of Looking at Old Traditions

         Any other year Ash Wednesday would begin with a solemn service in the sanctuary, complete with the dispensation of ashes followed by Communion’s observance. Unfortunately, this is not the typical run of the meal year, where we celebrate customs… Continue reading

  • Happy Transfiguration Day

         How appropriate that Valentine’s Day falls on Transfiguration Sunday. We encounter eros (romantic love) with agape (the love of God), two different expressions to explain connections with those we adore and Divine grace. At first glance, both words appear… Continue reading

  • Keep Sabbath Holy

         As a pastor, one of the most challenging things to do is to observe the Sabbath. The command to do so is one of the top ten ordinances written by God’s hand to the people. Ancient communities took people… Continue reading

  • The Idea of Rebirth

         I remember hearing about what it means to be a born-again Christian when I was a teenager. The idea confused me as I struggled to find my way in my part of the world’s religious landscape. As I grew… Continue reading

  • Start with a Plan

         As a pastor, I hear from many parishioners who pledge to make changes in their lives, hoping to connect with God. I see the resolutions fade and with unfulfilled hopes and dreams, I see a sense of loss. There… Continue reading

  • It is Time to Move On

         Hallelujah! The waiting is over, and the Messiah bursts through the darkness and into the light. “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you” (Is. 60:1 NKJV). Love makes its… Continue reading

  • In the Beginning, Was the Word

         In some religious circles, I hear people speak about finding Jesus. I question the notion that the Savior of the world lost His way. The Gospel of John teaches that the Word (Jesus) was at the beginning with God.… Continue reading