Pastors Pen

The practice of ‘Contrast Community’ July 14 2024 Scriptures: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29         Some years ago, I came across a phrase in an article on faith practice in America today, and after sharing it with the youth group I found they were fascinated by it, and it became both an […]

Much has been given, therefore… July 7, 2024 Scripture: Mark 6:1-13 It seems as though there is no escaping it…everywhere you turn it seems like someone is lamenting the current state of affairs in our country…or even worse, predicting all sorts of doomsday scenarios in light of recent decisions and developments. You don’t know who

Enthusiasm… June 30, 2024 Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 This past Friday morning dawned clear and cool. Nan and I awoke early and after grabbing a cup of coffee, we went out to sit on the screened in deck. The air was cool at 64 degrees, some 30 degrees cooler than just three days prior. And

Storms may come, but he is still in the boat… June 23, 2024 Scriptures: Mark 4:35-41 in narrative form…         Exhausted…there was no other word for it…I imagine that Jesus was just worn out by the end of every day from the constant push and pull demands of the crowds that followed after him everyday.

Binding the Strong Man…for good June 9, 2024 Scriptures: 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, Mark 3:20-27 We are at an inflection point in our common history…it is not the first one to be sure, and probably will not be the last…however there are indicators that it may be increasingly difficult moving

Willing Clay Vessels June 2, 2024 Scriptures: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23-3:6 There are a number of instances in the gospel accounts where we hear that Jesus was ‘angry’. And contrary to those who may use such accounts to justify their own personal lapses into similar emotions, in each and every

Light for the path ahead… May 12, 2024 Scripture: John 17:6-19 From the very beginning Jesus knew this moment would arrive. Who he was, and all that he had come to do, somehow came together in these last few moments alone with those closest to him…those closest friends who had been chosen to carry his

Called to be the dearest of friends… May 5, 2024 Scriptures: Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 ‘So my child, what do you want to be when you grow up?’, asks the adult. ‘I want to be just like my daddy’, or, ‘I want to be just like my mom’, the child replies. I

Finding the God you were not looking for… April 28, 2024 Scripture: Acts 8:26-40         Having hurriedly left Jerusalem, Philip was tired and worn out. He had not stopped to rest since being asked by the Apostles to go forth and share the good news in the name of Jesus. As he sat for a