Pastor Tom's Community

I have heard the first part of this often quoted, but It is not an open ended question. It is answered in the next sentence. The fact is, the real foundations are not and never have been destroyed. The foundations do not consist of our laws, constitution, corporate morality, cultural norms, or anything else over…

What kind of helper is God in whom we invest our hope? His track record is creation and His ongoing record is faithfulness. He demonstrates His faithfulness by His actions: * Executes justice for the oppressed.* Gives food to the hungry.* Sets the prisoners free. If we read the rest of the Bible, it indicates…

      Pennies from Heaven in the Landfills of America I just swept a small mountain – well maybe a molehill, but you know how we make them grow – of pennies off my desk, into my hand, and into my pocket. What surprised me was my level of annoyance at the bother of…

Lest any critique of public behavior that I speak be taken out of context: I believe in redemption and reconciliation, freely given by grace to the least deserving. I believe in the enduring possibility of repentance for the vilest of sinners – hope of new life, abundant forgiveness, bountiful mercy, fresh and new beginnings. The…

God grant me wholehearted prayer, be it cry or sigh …or, perchance, a shout of joy! I come with … whole heart, undivided, undeterred, un-distracted …. Grant it, LORD and may I … ENTER. I cry. You hear. I call. You save. It is … well before dawn and my heart is awakened. May I…

  Of what nation can it be said, "Their God is the LORD?" Israel’s God was the LORD, capitalized because the word, LORD is written and spoken as a substitute for God’s most holy personal name. It set them apart as a people to know Him by name. Yet His name was not something they…

Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash “Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.” – Psalm 33:3 There are three things that God reminds us of today that He would like for us to offer Him in worship. The first is newness. He wants a new song. Now an old song can be a…

I confess I fret.

Photo by Ajeet Mestry on Unsplash We have raised a generation on "reality" TV who believe that it somehow, actually represents reality. Some, young and old, have bought the notion that meanness, pettiness, ruthlessness, narcissism, lack of civility, and vindictiveness are norms for human communities to be emulated. At the same time, they have adopted the attitude that…

  Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash The balance between being the church's most ardent critic and most enthusiastic booster is the line where authenticity often settles. As critics, we do so from the inside, where judgment begins in the house of the Lord. We are being self-critical. Those who speak to the church prophetically are not seeking…