From a Pastor's Point of View

God’s presence

  • Two Questions Answered

    Last week we finished the Book of Ecclesiastes. After reading, I think that the author stressed important ideas regarding humanity and its relationship to the Divine. The first is the idea that “To everything, there is a season and I… Continue reading

  • Wisdom Was in the Beginning

    We are currently in the Book of Proverbs, and immediately, there is a power I find when reading complete chapters.  My experience with Proverbs remained limited to cherry picking a verse here, or a verse there.  Experiencing the power and… Continue reading

  • Our Songs of Ascent

    Psalms 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The title possibly refers to physically climbing the outer stairs of the temple to reach the center square. Songs reflected melodies that started low and gradually got higher with each idea… Continue reading

  • From Song to Song

    Today’s reading passed the 100 mark (we actually finished Psalm 101). In many ways, I feel like I am doing a disservice to the power of the mighty songs of God. Reading three to four Psalms per day is like… Continue reading

  • A Psalm of Thanksgiving

    A Psalm of Joy for “MacDonald the Older” – Happy Birthday I praise you, oh God, for out of the chaos of my life, You step over the darkness of my soul and create. Where once I believed there would… Continue reading

  • Comfort Me, Oh God!

    “You who have shown me great distresses and troubles will revive me again, and will bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You will increase my greatness and You will encircle and comfort me“ (Ps. 71:20-21 CEB).… Continue reading

  • When God is Silent

    “Wake up! Get up, my God, my Lord! Defend me and my cause! Give judgment for me, ADONAI, my God, as your righteousness demands” (Ps. 35:23-24 CJSB). We know that we are children of the Most-High God. As His kids,… Continue reading

  • Psalm 15 – Living in God’s Presence

    “ADONAI, who can rest in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain? Those who live a blameless life, who behave uprightly, who speak truth from their hearts” (Ps. 15:1-2 CJSB). Practicing hospitality and kindness does not offer me… Continue reading

  • From Job to Doctors to Psalms

    This week shaped up to be a hectic and beautiful time in my life.  While still maintaining all of my Biblical readings, I graduated with a Doctorate of Ministry degree from The Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.  The adventure into doctor… Continue reading

  • Job and His So-Called Friends

    The epic poem of Job tackles some of life’s most difficult questions regarding the nature of suffering.  The friends (Zophar, Eliphaz, and Bildad) that surround Job represent traditional theology regarding who is to blame when bad things happen.  “If anything… Continue reading