Pastor Tom's Community

  Beyond our opinions of others or their opinions of us as we live in our own times, is the boisterous internal argument about the significance of our lives. More than the legacy that we shall leave and the memories that shall be evoked by our names, we are driven by our own speculations and,…

God is perfectly capable of defending God's own honor. We struggle with it. We can't even agree on what it is. We are multi-polar in our emPHASes. We are indignant when the world does not give proper respect to the things we revere. We protest to God and we wrestle with it in His presence.…

Heart first this morning, every morning, overflowing with a pleasing theme, a sense of centering, and longing for that which is ultimate, eternal, and true, for God. This is the beginning. It is not emotional, but it emotes. It is volitional rejoicing. "This is the day that the LORD hath made. I WILL rejoice and…

On one hand, is the mighty man, boasting of evil.On the other side is God, whose steadfast love remains and endures.  "Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day" – Psalm 52:1 (ESV) On one had is the one or the part of ourselves that loves…

We are being stretched by the challenges that extend us and strengthened by the storms that beat upon us. Lent is coming, but it feels like we are already in it. Pre-Lent is a bit of a an enigma, yet I find myself preparing for the time of preparation. Lent represents a lengthening of days,…

Words matter because, in some mysterious way, they are alive. "Logos," is defined most often as "word," but it is also "principle," "idea," "truth," or "the things spoken of." It is also the act of speaking. It is both in-transient and dynamic. You speak a word, with or without intent, and the DNA of that…

  A few years ago, reflecting on the news of a friend's death, I wrote: So many deaths … My wife said to me last night, "It's going to be more and more," as I informed her of the death of death of a friend and colleague of 20 plus years. "We are getting older."…

  I am weak, Lord. I am lowly. I bring nothing in my hands.  offer no credentials, no reputation, no resume worth reading. My track record is checkered. My focus is scattered. My mind is here and there and everywhere. I am easily distracted and frequently tested to the core. Yet, God, you are my God.…

  Friend of the friendless, May I be A friend, A friend, A friend to Thee. May I friendly Friendly, Friendly be To one who, Scattered, Lost at sea  Who May somehow, Somehow, Be set free By just one human touch, Of grace and love That is Thy touch Through me. To this end, I…