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christianity

  • Tongues of Fire – Pentecost

    A WordPress Devotional for pastortom.blog “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”— Acts 2:3 Sometimes the word God has for someone else comes and sits on us first. We… Continue reading

  • Who Told You That You Were Naked?

    A Theological Reflection on Genesis 3 There are questions in scripture that echo through the entire human story. This is one of them: “Who told you that you were naked?” — Genesis 3:11 Not merely:What have you done? But:Who told… Continue reading

  • Two Perspectives and One Truth

    Believe the Son Reflections on John 3:31–36 “The one who comes from above is above all…” — John 3:31 (NRSVUE) Sometimes we say, “There are two sides to every story.”John 3 reminds us that there are also two perspectives from… Continue reading

  • The People Jesus Was Not Condemning

    Religious Scrupulosity, OCD, and the Fear of the “Unpardonable Sin” Recently, I recorded a sermon and companion reflections around Matthew 12 and Jesus’ strong words about loyalty, neutrality, resistance, and decision. In that passage, Jesus says startling things: That second… Continue reading

  • Ephesians 2:1–7 — From Death to Life

    Paul begins this passage with a shocking statement: “You were dead through the trespasses and sins…” — Ephesians 2:1 Dead people walking. That is Paul’s image. Not physically dead. Spiritually dead. Alive biologically, active socially, functioning outwardly — but separated… Continue reading

  • The Goat That Walks Away

    Bible Chat – Leviticus 16:20–34 There is a moment in this ritual that invites us to stop and watch. Aaron has spoken the words.Hands pressed firmly on the head of the goat.Every category of failure named—iniquities, transgressions, sins. And now…… Continue reading

  • Come and Rest

    Matthew 11:28–30 “Come unto me… take my yoke… my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” If one must bear a burden, the best burden to bear is one that is bearable. If one must wear a yoke, the… Continue reading

  • Jesus, the Storyteller

    “And he spake many things to them in parables…” — Matthew 13:3 Jesus was a storyteller. That is how He taught. He told stories to capture attention.He told stories to awaken understanding.And sometimes, He told stories that concealed truth from… Continue reading

  • Adrift and Welcomed Home

    Casting Care and Finding Restoration Adrift “…Casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you.” – I Peter 5:7 Imagine yourself adrift upon a sea of trouble—tossed furiously by its waves and sinking under the load of care.… Continue reading

  • The Generous Life, the Shared Life, and the Shepherd’s Voice

    Scripture Focus : Acts 2:42–47; I Peter 2:21; John 10:1–30 There is something unmistakable about the early church. It was not polished.It was not institutional.It was not carefully managed. But it was alive. “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine… Continue reading