Pastors Pen

‘able and willing…’ October 1, 2023 Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13 Picking up from our discussion last week regarding the possibility of experiencing the ‘Kingdom’ Jesus spoke of, as we dwell and labor together in blessed community, today’s scripture from Philippians affirms this by saying that indeed this is the way to fulfill the plan and purposes […]

Pursuing the ‘Kingdom’ September 24, 2023 Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16 I often think about the seemingly huge difference between what Jesus proclaimed in saying that the ‘Kingdom of Heaven was among us’…and what we see all around us each and every day. Except for passing glimpses throughout history, in which it seemed as though such a

Once forgiven…all forgiven September 17, 2023 Scriptures: Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 While at first this scripture seems like a story of the correct behavior we should all exercise when it comes to forgiving one another, and reminds us of how God may be upset with us from time to time and act as a ‘stern

‘the sometimes hard work of Christian unity…’ September 10, 2023 Scripture: Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20 Let’s all admit one thing upfront…Christians…are people…much like anyone else, quite far from perfect, prone to mistakes, and most likely, too often focused on their own wants or desires. They are different from others however in that they have been

love one another’ means… September 3, 2023 Scripture: Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 Isn’t it just like God to choose to set aside and consecrate a man who got his start persecuting the followers of Jesus, one who sought to stamp out and bring about an end to this fledgling movement started by Jesus from the

‘all together now…’ August 27, 2023 Scriptures: Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 I looked up the word in the Greek that is used in our scripture as transformed. And that word is metamorphoo (pronounced met-am-or-fo-o, accent on 4th syllable), which we also know as metamorphosis, a term most of us probably last encountered in middle or

Behold how precious and how good it is… August 20, 2023 Scripture: Psalm 133: 1-3 Psalm 133 has been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. Years ago when I was helping to run an annual music weekend retreat up at the camp each year, we would invite various gospel choirs

The biggest lie…and our weakest foe August 13, 2023 Scriptures: Matthew 25:34-45, Matthew 14:22-33 So often of late, in conversation with all manner of folk, I have heard only of doom and gloom…so much so that I found it almost disheartening myself. Even among people of faith I have heard whispers of resignation and fear…as

It wasn’t simply a ‘matinee’ performance! August 6, 2023 Scripture: Matthew 14: 13-21 Jesus knew John pretty much from the very beginning.  It was John who was the unborn baby in Elizabeth’s womb who it is said, ‘Jumped for joy’ at the sound of her cousin Mary’s voice.  And surely growing up Jesus kept tabs

nothing can separate us… from the love of our God’ July 30, 2023 Scriptures: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-46, Romans 8:26-39 I have come to believe, over many, many years of seeking after our Lord, that Paul was right in his assessment of the love of God, as written in our reading today from the 8th chapter