gift of salvation
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Refilling the Soul: Lessons from a Restful Vacation
Today is the last day of my vacation. I will return to my pastoral duties tomorrow, grateful for a wonderful and restful retreat. As I processed the week I spent in Texas, I feel overwhelmed with love and appreciation… Continue reading
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The Road to Rest: Insights from Audiobooks and Faith
Today marks the start of a week spent visiting family, celebrating my birthday, joining a retreat in Austin, and taking time to sit quietly and connect with God. Since I spent much of the day traveling by car, I started… Continue reading
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Preparing for the Christ Child: A Night of Celebration
Today is our final day of preparation. We know that Jesus comes in the night, a time symbolizing anticipation and divine mystery, and we sing and celebrate the One for whom we took our time to prepare. We… Continue reading
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A Crisis of Faith Led Me to a Deeper Understanding of God
When I attended seminary, I had a crisis of faith. I could not understand how my way of holding on to truth could be the only way of finding favor with the Divine. One of my continuous struggles… Continue reading
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Counting My Blessings During This Season Brings Me Joy
I remember one time when Julian, my oldest son, was sixteen. He sang in a good choir in his high school years. This program featured a very ambitious selection of time-honored works and new music. I know I must shut… Continue reading
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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
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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
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What to Do When Faith Does Not Provide Answers
As a pastor, I turn to my faith to provide answers to questions that often prove difficult and are beyond my ability to explain. When times get tough, I turn to my sacred texts to find a glimmer of… Continue reading
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In a New Place, With New People, and New Ways of Doing Ministry
As a pastor, one of the most challenging issues I face is relocating to a new worship space. My five years in Belen proved excellent, but now the possibilities seem endless in my new parish, St. Paul’s UMC in… Continue reading
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Holy Week is Here
It is hard to believe that Holy Week is here. We waited so long and are encountering the darkest season of our faith. Within a few short hours, the world would see the crucifixion of the one who came… Continue reading
From a Pastor's Point of View 