From a Pastor's Point of View

praise be to god

  • Actions Speak Louder Than Words

         As I write each day during the Advent season, I realize something about myself. I often suffer from imposter syndrome. Yes, the words that I type possess truth, but putting them into action is another story. The truth is,… 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

  • A Light in the Middle of Our Darkness

    “We saw his star in the east[a] and have come to worship him” (Matt. 2:2b CEB).      Sometimes, I watch a New Mexico sundown and feel transfixed by the fantastic colors. One of my favorite moments is watching as the… 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

  • A Time to Be Still and Contemplate the Workings of God

     “…and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).       The shepherds came to see the baby, and when they did, they shared the news heralded by the angels in the field, emphasizing God’s outreach… Continue reading

  • A Season of Thanks Living

    With Halloween behind us, the rush towards the new year has officially begun. The last two months of the year always seem to fly by, especially for those of us in the church. The Advent Season, Christmas pageants, extra worship… 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

  • 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

  • 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