Pastor Tom's Community

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  • Slow Down to Soak Up the Grace

    Sometimes slower gets you there sooner and better. Like slow food, grace must be savored. Life moves too quickly at best. The Long, Lingering, Meandering Way We meander and gather our thoughts. We stop here and there to taste and… Continue reading

  • Living in Exile

    Are you homesick? Do you feel disengaged, disoriented, and dispossessed in a world where nothing is familiar? Is there a feeling of hostility from or toward you as you confront the values and cultures around you? There is actually a… Continue reading

  • The Jehoiakim Factor

    We are not all that good at generational thinking. We are fairly well tuned to passing on truth to the next generation and to that of our grandchildren, but we are not often that concerned with the children unborn and… Continue reading

  • A Tip of the Hat to Roger Williams

    For Taking a Boot to the Butt On this day in 1635 – Roger Williams is banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony after religious and policy disagreements. This was a critical moment in American history and religious history, as well… Continue reading

  • Dog Whistles

    I’ve spent no small amount of time pondering this. How is it that people I respect, people of integrity, and people I presume to be intelligent, believe a lie. In fact, one lie leads to another and trust is developed… Continue reading

  • Let It Roll Down

    When do justice and righteousness roll down like streams of refreshing water? “But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” – Amos 5:24 It is as if Amos were here with us today. His words… Continue reading

  • Resolve

    Care to Lead a Blameless Life I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.  –New International Version Psalm 101:2 Here is… Continue reading

  • Super-positioning the Cat

    We place this condition on superpostion. Consider the state of the innocent cat. The cat has not harmed you, and yet in its crate Until the lids lifted you toggle its fate. You, the observer, hold all the aces. You… Continue reading

  • Money Makes What Go Around?

    Contentment is not contained in wealth. You can be content whether you are wealthy or poor. Contentment is an attitude, choice, and way of thinking. We gain it in the pursuit of values that transcend wealth You have a relationship… Continue reading

  • Wanted

    “Tom, you’re not useless. We can always use you as a bad example.” Have you ever seen a want add for a bad example?—————HELP WANTEDBadly flawed, underqualified, low-motivated, mid-level manager to take responsibility for counter-intuitive training and institutionalized scape-goating for… Continue reading