Hallowed be your name. Jesus, Matthew 6:9 You can find part 1 here, part 2 here. I have a horrible memory. It makes remembering people's names difficult. Our names are part of who we are, many with deep and rich meanings, showing us who the namer believed the person could become. As a pastor, I … Continue reading An Invitation and a Promise Part 3
The opening line of the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father, who is in heaven," is an invitation to encounter God in an intimate, personal way. Jesus intended to recalibrate his listeners' perception of God, emphasizing his nature as a loving father engaging closely with His children. The phrase also underscores the collective relationship of faith and God's transcendence, reminding of His ultimate authority. Above all, the line reaffirms God’s constant presence, inviting prayer and reinforcing that believers are never alone.
Can we ever be fully understood or embraced for who we truly are? If connection with other humans is so difficult, could we ever truly connect with the divine? The Lord's Prayer is the key to divine connection, it is both an invitation and a promise.
Psalm 131 continued. See part 1 here. My eyes are not haughty Have you ever let your success get in the way of your relationships? This is a problem many of us deal with. Even the phrase, “if I can do it, anyone can'' lends itself to making us feel better about ourselves, and look … Continue reading The way kids show up – Part 2
When pride becomes the center of conversation, I often get the following question: “Am I not allowed to be proud of anything that I've done in my life?” I tried to figure this out as a kid and I don't think it was explained very well to me. So I grew up thinking that if everything was God’s doing, God then what does it matter what I do, I have nothing to offer. I can never say that I've done anything of worth.
https://youtu.be/w0AKF253LYM This message was given at Newbridge Church on January 22nd, 2023
June 10th, 2022 Thoughts from today’s reading of Genesis 1-5 “In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth”. Over the course of six (literal or figurative) days, he both made it to support life and filled it with life. Incredible. The grass was grown, the trees had fruit, and the light from faraway … Continue reading Creative Creation
Let me start by saying that I am an expert in absolutely nothing. On top of that, let me admit that I was on the slow end to take this coronavirus epidemic as seriously as I should have. Regardless there many opportunities for me to be learning how to lead in such circumstances. These are … Continue reading What the Virus has Taught me About Church – Part 1 – An Impossible Choice
I don't know if you're like me. It can take a while for something to stick. Some people pick up on everything and seem to have no trouble understanding what seems to bounce off my thick skull. " Don't you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? … Continue reading Running the Race
Two weeks after my birthday, in 2016, I wrote yourself a letter. I don't remember exactly what had happened, but I believe I had been passed over for a job. I still have that letter and I read it occasionally, most often around my birthday. It's a reminder to keep going, to keep fighting. The … Continue reading A Birthday Letter to Myself
Learning to Live 