Pastor’s Life

Leer la devoción en español. May 30, 2022 As I write this devotional, I am at the hospital waiting for more responses to know what is happening and the reason I am here. It has been seven days since I...

During the Season of Lent, I preached a sermon series based on the epistles assigned in the Revised Common Lectionary. This was a bit of a Lenten discipline for me. Usually, I preach on the assigned gospel readings from the...

At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him. (Mark 1:12-13 CEB) Growing up I loved...

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (The Message) Look at what I’ve done for you today: I’ve placed in front of you Life and Good Death and Evil. And I command you today: Love God, your God. Walk in the Lord’s ways. Keep God’s...

Every year, many of us reflect on the past, and commit to make resolutions for the future. Frequently, those resolutions involved better stewardship … of our time, our health, our finances, our family commitments, our spiritual growth. This year (like...

Getting out of bed is an act of faith - for the widow with husband lost to COVID, for the single father, bone tired, already working two jobs, for the pastor whipsawed by so many demands. Sometimes I experience a...

Most conversations I’m having with colleagues these days go something like this. Me: "How are you?" Colleague: (shrugs) "Doing ok." Me: “Yeah?" Colleague: "I’m proud of the way the congregation has weathered all the last year and a half have...

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for...

Last January, I celebrated 30 years of ordained ministry. This past year and a half have left me pulling on every ounce of experience of that history, learning new things, and needing to draw on my spiritual resources as never...

On Mondays, I brave the day and sit with church folk in our courtyard. It’s been a regular practice--one hour each Monday, sign up through Calendly, and for a while it was on Zoom, but since COVID restrictions lifted in...