Pastor’s Blog

Daily Devotion June 23, 2023

Posted on Jun 23, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

Now pick twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one per tribe. The soles of the priests’ feet, who are carrying the chest of the Lord, ruler of the whole earth, will come to rest in the water of the Jordan. At that moment, the water of the Jordan will be cut off. The water flowing downstream will stand still in a single heap” (Joshua 3:12-13, CEB).

The book of Joshua sounds a bit like the story of “How the West Was Won.” There are epic battles between the Tribes of Israel and her enemies. Following the time of war, Joshua, the leader who succeeded Moses, apportioned regions of the country to each of the twelve tribes.

Daily Devotion June 22, 2023

Posted on Jun 22, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard” (1 Kings 21:15-16, NIV).

I dislike bullies. As long as I can remember I have championed the underdog. When I see an individual being bullied by another, my blood boils.

Daily Devotion June 21, 2023

Posted on Jun 21, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6, NIV)

My wedding gift to Cathy was Annabelle. Annabelle was a timid but loving Lhasa Apso. Annabelle also had a need of frequent grooming. Being a young, poor seminary family, I offered to trim Annabelle’s mane. Cathy was hesitant. I reassured my wife that cutting a dog’s hair is just like trimming bushes. Sadly, I recognized too late that unlike bushes, dogs tend to wiggle when running a pair of shears over their skin. Poor Annabelle came away from the experience looking like she’d been in a fight with Edward Scissorhands.

Daily Devotion June 20, 2023

Posted on Jun 20, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“So, Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her more than Leah, and stayed and worked the additional seven years.” (Genesis 29:30, TLB)

An agreement was reached. Jacob consented to marry Leah and her sister. But things were just about to get really complicated. The Scripture claims that Jacob loved Rachel more than he did Leah. Remember, Rachel is a supermodel. Rachel was Jacob’s fantasy come to life. Leah, however, did not live up to Jacob’s fantastical expectations. This is the point at which Jacob’s marriage to Leah (his first wife) began to jump the tracks.

Daily Devotion June 16, 2023

Posted on Jun 16, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete” (Matthew 5:48, NIV).

One of the questions to which I responded when ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church was this: Are you going on to perfection? Sanctification or holiness is one of the three theological strands that tied together what John Wesley called the “way of salvation.” Wesley believed that through the work of the Holy Spirit, God is reforming the human spirit into the image of Christ, the author and perfecter of the Christian faith (see Hebrews 12:2).

Daily Devotion June 15, 2023

Posted on Jun 15, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“…whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.” (John 5:19, CEB)

Narcissus is a Greek mythological character who was physically handsome and unmatched in human beauty. Narcissus was led to a pool of calm water. Like a mirror, when Narcissus stared into the water, he saw his stunning reflection. He couldn’t turn away from looking at himself. Some sources claim that Narcissus eventually died from loneliness because he couldn’t see anyone beyond himself.