Pastors Pen

King of the hill? September 22, 2024 Scriptures: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 When, or how do you like to be seen as ‘first’? Does this question ever come to mind, or do we sometimes take some measure of joy or satisfaction from being ‘first’ in something…or in the eyes of someone? I think we […]

Spirit led understanding… August 25, 2024 Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18, John 6:56-69 It had to be close to thirty five years ago…just a few years after I moved back to Patterson to accept the caretaker’s position at Cascade Farm when my former employer and close friend Pete Roberts called and asked if I would like to

‘really…?’ August 11, 2024 Scriptures: Ephesians 4:25-5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 Over the past week, Nan and I drove back home from our son Micah’s home in Colorado. We traveled through numerous states, past untold corn and wheat fields, huge stacks of hay and straw bales, and emerald green fields overflowing with soybean plants as far

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