Pastor Tom's Community

tomsims

  • Not Yet — But Pressing On

    A Devotional Reflection on Philippians 3:1–12 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”— Philippians 3:12 (KJV) There… Continue reading

  • Got You Covered

    It was a moment of embarrassment, the kind that wakes you up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night when you dreamt it: Lunch was done; conversation paused, the wait person dropped off the check. It was… Continue reading

  • That I May Know Him

    Philippians 3:1-11 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Against a backdrop of resurrection hope, Paul writes: Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me,… Continue reading

  • Mizpah Benediction

    I grew up with the Mizpah Benediction and always loved it, “”The Lord watch between you and me, when we are absent one from the other. ” (NRSV) Of course, when we read on, it is a father telling his… Continue reading

  • New People in a New Church

    The Joy of Shared Beginnings “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” — Acts 2:42 (KJV) What do new believers do in a newly constituted congregation? They dive in.… Continue reading

  • Numbering Our Days and Limiting Our Words

    Bible Chat – Psalm 90 Psalm 90 teaches us to live consciously before God—aware of time, restrained in speech, intentional in labor, and oriented toward eternity. When we number our days, we limit our words, choose our work carefully, and… Continue reading

  • Walking Out as Sacred Protest

    When Leaving Becomes Faithfulness — The Witness of Absalom Jones There are moments in the life of faith when staying feels virtuous — patient, enduring, long-suffering. And there are moments when staying becomes surrender. On this feast day of Absalom… Continue reading

  • Neither Do I Condemn You

    Wheat, Tares, and the Hope of a New Life “She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”— John 8:11 Jesus once told a story about a field. In… Continue reading

  • Gracious Living • Grounded Faith • The Fruit That Delights God

    Hebrews closes where faith always has to land: how belief becomes behavior. After rich theology and careful argument, Hebrews 13 asks a simple, searching question—What does life in the kingdom of God actually look like? The answer unfolds in three… Continue reading

  • Faith Without the Spotlight

    Matthew 6:1–18 In Matthew 6:1–18, Jesus offers a searching warning: it is possible to practice our faith in ways that look spiritual but slowly shift our focus away from God and toward the approval of others. Giving, prayer, forgiveness, and… Continue reading