Pastor Tom's Community

"Lord, catch us off guard today. Surprise us with some moment of beauty or pain so that for at least a moment we may be startled into seeing that you are with us here in all your splendor, always and everywhere, barely hidden, beneath, beyond, within this life we breathe. Amen."  – Frederick Buechner

There are costs to following Jesus and excuses for not doing so. Everything of value costs something. We can think of endless excuses to procrastinate, obstinate, and prevaricate. We'll do anything but drop whatever we are doing and change directions. It is a control issue – we want to be in control. Mostly, we want…

Much that I needed to know for life, I learned from some very special children's books. As I said before, Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904. I was reflecting on the places within us where Dr. Seuss took us and I decided to look at some of his words and how they had…

Clearly, I overlooked an important birthday this week. I would have missed it entirely if it were not for the reminder of a Toastmaster friend who made Dr. Seuss the theme of this week's meeting. Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904.  The world is a happier place because he was here. He had…

Perhaps you'd like for me to tell you what it is, this challenge of today – the big one, the definitive one, the one that, if you conquer it, you conquer everything. Perhaps you want it, but you are unlikely to get it … not from me … not from any who tell you they…

"Though it cost you all you have, get understanding." – Proverbs 4:7b Wisdom is a costly commodity. We pay the price in time, heartache, experience, and study as well as money. Yet, the wise man of old testifies to its enduring value. "It is worth all you have" is his message to those who might…

How deep could I plunge anyway given the quantity of hot air that occupied every part of my soul? I am much more likely to float than plumb the depths. To do other requires weight. In Greek, weight is "doxa," from which we get "doxology" and "glory." The heavier the glory that weighs us down,…

Deep thoughts? Deep words? How much time have I wasted looking and waiting for something deep to say or think when the deep waters are everywhere and everything that exists has unfathomed depts beyond the imagination to be explored?

Grace, grace, God's grace Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin. – Julia Johnson More at Cyber Hymnal

To continue the theme of leaning not on my own understanding, I gave some thought to general areas where my understanding is limited. However, I thought I might start with some random specifics. I don't understand the how bumblebees can fly. Perhaps someone has explained it to me at some time, but I have forgotten.…