From a Pastor's Point of View

inclusive

  • God Can Handle Our Complaints

         One thing that I respect about the ancient Hebrew prophets is their unwavering honesty.  Many times, God addressed the people about their sin, but sometimes God heard the people’s cries and needs.  At first, one might think that this… Continue reading

  • Our Family Advent Traditions

    I don’t know what it was about last night, but I had a profound awareness of God’s presence as my family decorated our Christmas tree. As my wife hung the ornaments, she pointed out the various people and places that… Continue reading

  • New Life Comes Where We Least Expect It

    “A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse; a branch will sprout from his roots” (Is. 11:1 CEB).      The prophet Jeremiah utters a strange proclamation to the people of Israel. He boldly tells them that “A shoot… Continue reading

  • Cleaning the House for Our Guest

         During the Advent season, we take a fearless, moral inventory of ourselves and of how we relate to those around us. To truly prepare, consider specific practices like prayer, reflection, or confession that help us remove the lent of… Continue reading

  • Finding God in a Chaotic World

    “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10).      The season of Advent sounds excellent, but finding time to prepare and listen to God seems impossible. Through December, leading up to Christmas, we find ourselves bombarded by countless… Continue reading

  • Let Us Not Forget Joseph, the Father of Jesus, whose virtues of faithfulness and humility serve as a model for us all.

      “Joseph was a good man…” Matt. 1:19a).     The Bible highlights Joseph’s love for Mary and his choice to divorce her privately, emphasizing virtues that inspire us to embody kindness and obedience. This gentle act should motivate us to… Continue reading

  • Keep First Things First

    “But nobody knows when that day or hour will come, not the heavenly angels and not the Son. Only the Father knows” (Matt 24:36 CEB).      At first glance, the scripture for today seems to indicate a colossal mistake. Why… Continue reading

  • Our Calling to Great Journeys

         Recently, I embarked on a journey through the Bible with a Monday evening class at my church. As I revisited the familiar passages in Genesis, I found myself captivated by Abram’s transformative journey. He was in the land of… Continue reading

  • There is a Time to Mourn When Moving to Another Church

    “Everything on earth has its own time and its own season” (Eccl. 3:1 CEB). The first verse from the third chapter of Ecclesiastes reminds me that mourning the loss of the church I leave is natural. The reading does not… Continue reading

  • Doing Spiritual Work Brings Spiritual Joy

         As I sweep my spiritual floor clean, I notice something that gets my attention. Laying in a corner of my soul is a list of those who have hurt me. I want to go over and sweep with everything… Continue reading

    Doing Spiritual Work Brings Spiritual Joy