Pastor Tom's Community

I think that people, who may not have regard for the Bible as scripture or believe in divine direction, may often practice the principle of Proverbs 3:5 without knowing that they are obeying the scripture, "Lean not on thine own understanding." Every intelligent person I know bows in the presence of the unknowns of the…

I am not clairvoyant – I can't even spell it without help. I am not even spiritual enough to detect all the promptings of the Spirit to pray for friends in need. Sometimes they get through, but I am rather prone to miss a few. But I know some of you may need prayers and…

How is it that a small word or two of encouragement can make all the difference in a person's day? One compliment can turn the tide for another person's day or week. One blessing softly and sincerely spoken can lift a downtrodden spirit. A brief prayer can evoke the release of a flood tide of…

For some people, who have sacrificed fame, fortune, and the comforts of living in service, there is one last hope in this world – to be remembered. In today's reading from Chamber's, "My Utmost for His Highest," Saint Oswald pulls the props out from under that last vestige of worldly desire: "Are you ready to…

Intimidation is the last tool of people who suspect that their case is to weak to win on its own merits.

David would not and could not wear Saul's armor to battle Goliath. He was not Saul. He was not Saul's size. He needed his own garb and his own weapons. When we realize that we are unique, fearfully and wonderfully made people, we will come to be free to be ourselves. We won't try to…

Do we love and embrace our cities enough to say with Father Damien, "We lepers?"

"Heal the sick." We were told what to do, not how to do it. All we got was this: "Freely you have received; freely give." The big hint, then is, that we have received something that, when we give it away, brings healing, resurrection, liberation, and cleansing to broken people in a broken world. The…

We start each day with hope. At least I do and most positive people I know do the same. There is an occasional "dreaded" day, but it is the exception and is usually combated by positive self-talk and prayer. The rule is that we begin our mornings expecting to exploit our effectiveness and embrace our…

God stepped out on stage And every member of the orchestra knew it was He. He took the baton in hand And breathed forth UPBEAT. Down came the baton DOWNBEAT. And the pattern was given With every eye upon Him. The strings The horns The percussionists The LIGHTS Yes, the lights! The dancers, The actors,…