Pastor Tom's Community

Jesus

  • Day of the Children

    A Biblical and Theological Perspective Today is observed in many places as International Children’s Day, a day that calls attention to the dignity, protection, rights, and flourishing of children. The date is complicated, as international observances often are. The United… Continue reading

  • But Some Doubted

    A Trinity Sunday Reflection on Matthew 28:16–20 “And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.”— Matthew 28:16, KJV This is Trinity Sunday, and in this extended passage all three members of the Godhead appear. The risen Son… Continue reading

  • Money Is a Great Servant, but an Awful Master

    Attitudes Toward Money, Contentment, and the Life That Really Is Life Contentment is not contained in wealth. You can be content whether you are wealthy or poor. Contentment is an attitude, a choice, and a way of thinking. We gain… Continue reading

  • Remaining Faithful to Jesus Christ

    A Reflection on 2 Timothy 1 Faithfulness to Jesus Christ does not mean the absence of fear, suffering, disappointment, or loneliness. It does mean receiving the Spirit’s courage, bearing witness without shame, and using the time we have to refresh… Continue reading

  • 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