Pastor Tom's Community

Father … I am a "dis-tractable" soul. You know that and I know that and I am amazed how You have accommodated that in me and taught me to manage within the margins of my "dis-tractability" to find a tract within which I can live and seek you and find traction for my journey. I…

Shine, rising sun upon these steps I take.It is a dark world this morning, but it is morning.Early, comes morning and only hopeful people venture forth.The world is dark. Is it?Then why is it that I see the road before me and little obstacles in my path?Why is it that I can see if everything…

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash “… no one cared for my soul..”  Psalms 142:4 God cares for your soul. How can a statement be true and untrue at the same time? Many a man or woman has echoed the psalmist’s cry in lonely and despairing hours. Many have passed though the dark tunnel of desolation “like sheep…

The Preaching of St. John the Baptist by Pieter Bruegel the Elder Removing Impediments Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. – Luke 3:5-6 God called John…

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That…

With great power there is increased capacity for doing good. Yet, there is also multiplied capacity for doing harm and engaging in individual and collective sin. When asked, John the Baptist brought a prophetic message to the guardians of the system. It was hard, but it was not hopeless. For John, repentance was not about…

Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?  And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. – Luke 3:12 There are different things that different folks must do – but it is always very simple to take the first step. Stop…

I am glad that God does that for me. Of course, it is completely unfair …. I do the wrong and He atones for it. That means, He bears the brunt and makes it right. What kind of wonderful craziness is this? Grace and mercy. "Yet he, being compassionate,atoned for their iniquityand did not destroy…

  Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash Are you feeling "stuck" in work you feel is insignificant and at the lowest place on the chain of importance? Are you doing menial work when you feel you have a greater calling? Look at David. His entire schooling was doing what kids do in a family like his – chasing…

And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? – Luke 3:10   John got the response that he must have hoped for. It was the right response. It was the only logical response from a people who had been touched and pierced by the penetrating Word of God: “What shall we do?”…