Pastors Pen

‘faith’…noun or  verb? November 10, 2024 Scriptures: Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 I long thought that today’s story of the ‘Widow’s Mite’ was solely about giving…in particular, giving when you didn’t have much to give…that this little story in the gospels was about being willing to give even when you felt you really could not afford […]

The Politics of Jesus November 3, 2024 Scriptures: Ruth 1:1-18, Mark 12:28-34 I know that there are those who are strongly opposed to mixing religion and politics whatsoever. In fact, the doctrine of ‘Separation of Church and State’ in America has long been viewed as essential to the functioning of a stable democratic society. And

sacred moments… October 6, 2024 Scriptures: Mark 10:2-16 I want you to remember something as I begin. And that is, that the title of today’s meditation is not capitalized…I hope to bring the reasons behind that into focus as I share… Today is World Communion Sunday, a day when all, or at least most of

‘It’s a whole body thing…’ September 29, 2024 Scripture: Mark 9:38-50 As I shared last week, Jesus was quick to make the disciples aware that he knew of their veiled intentions, and that they sometimes misunderstood some of the basic underlying principles of what he was trying so hard to teach them. Taking a young

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