Pastor’s Blog

Daily Devotional Dec 9, 2022

Posted on Dec 9, 2022 in Pastor's Blog |

“But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love” (Luke 7:47, NLT).

I enjoy attending twelve-step meetings. The beauty of the recovery community is its transparency. To be able to stand in front of a group of people and say, “Hi, I’m Suzy, I’m an alcoholic,” requires humility. By humility I mean self-knowledge that goes public. Self-admitted addicts know their weaknesses, are painfully aware of their past misdeeds, and are willing to share their story of redemption with others. In Jesus’ parlance, they aren’t afraid to share publicly their story because they have been forgiven much.

Daily Devotional Dec. 8, 2022

Posted on Dec 8, 2022 in Pastor's Blog |

“Be strong and courageous,” David said to his son Solomon. “Get to work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the LORD God, my God, is with you…” (1 Chronicles 28:20, CEB)

I recently passed an assembly of carolers. They sang a familiar tune:

We wish you a merry Christmas…
Oh bring us some figgy pudding…
We won’t go until we get some,
so bring it right here.

Daily Devotional Dec 7, 2022

Posted on Dec 7, 2022 in Pastor's Blog |

“A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life” (Proverbs 13:7, MSG).

The vote is in. “Goblin mode” has been chosen as Oxford’s word of the year for 2022. Goblin mode is an unapologetic rejection of idealized versions of self-improvement. Goblin mode is like waking up in the middle of the night, wearing nothing but a torn tee shirt and sweats, while making a weird snack like peanut butter on graham crackers. Goblin mode is the practice of being one’s true self without regard to what others may think.

Daily Devotional Dec. 6, 2022

Posted on Dec 6, 2022 in Pastor's Blog |

“If a child asked for an egg, what father would give the child a scorpion? If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:12-13, CEB).

A grapevine wreath garnishes one of walls in the home of my wife’s parents. Surrounding the circular décor are nine doves each bearing one of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I’m told that my mother-in-law purchased the decoration at a craft store.

Daily Devotional Dec 2, 2022

Posted on Dec 2, 2022 in Pastor's Blog |

I have a picture of Jesus carrying a sheep on his shoulders. Sheep are skittish creatures. The sound of a wolf or coyote can propel these animals into an anxious fit. To calm the sheep, a shepherd will often place the animal upon his shoulders. In no time, the nervous mutton will fall asleep.

This image of a shepherd carrying the sheep is at the heart of today’s passage from Deuteronomy 33:12:

“The beloved of the LORD rests in safety—

the High God surrounds him all day long—

the beloved rests between his shoulders.”

Daily Devotional Dec. 1, 2022

Posted on Dec 1, 2022 in Pastor's Blog |

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:38-39, NLT).

It’s not hard to figure out what Jesus is saying in the first few verses. Don’t strike back. Don’t verbally counter-assault your enemy. Don’t exchange one level of harm for another. Most of us get that. What many people struggle with, however, is whether Jesus extending this teaching to say, “Don’t retaliate, just let the other person roll all over you. Let them hit you on the right cheek, then let that same person hit you, again, on the left”.