Mercy for Ministry

“Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.” (2 Cor. 4:1, NRSV) I stuck on this verse in my Bible reading Monday morning.  I thank God for sending me just the words my soul needs to hear.  The day before (Sunday) I preached a [...]

From “Why” to “How”

Last September my wife, Stephanie, started experiencing pain in her right knee.  The discomfort progressed and the pain spread to other parts of her body.  She has underwent many tests and seen many doctors (family practice, physical therapy, orthopedic surgery, and rheumatology).  She has finally been diagnosed with RA (rheumatoid arthritis). A major question my [...]

Love and Bless

Last Friday night our church hosted the first of what hopefully will be an ongoing, monthly prayer service for peace and reconciliation.  Collaborating with our town’s Catholic priest and Methodist minister, being the pastor at the host church for this service, I had the duty of selecting two brief scripture readings.  After some thought I [...]

Only Where Graves Are

The past three years have been a time, among others things, of learning the nature and art of pastoral ministry.  I entered this work without a clear idea of what a pastor is or does.  Even three years later I don’t even pretend to have all the answers.  But I’m coming closer to a workable [...]

Thank You

It occurred to me that this month marks two years I’ve been writing these blogs.  While in some respects I write them out of my own life and devotions, and indeed, for my own benefit, I surely also write them for you.  And I don’t think I’d have nearly the same motivation to write or [...]

Big Sky Country

Our family will be on a vacation in Montana July 18-26 (that includes travel time).  It’s an opportunity to visit with my Dad’s side of the family, most of whom I haven’t seen in several years.  Not only can we reconnect, but we can meet one another’s families – spouses and children, which I’m looking [...]

Due Date

This isn’t a review of the latest Robert Downey Jr. film, which is appropriate since I haven’t seen it.  Rather, it’s an update on my wife’s pregnancy and the imminent birth of our first child. Because the baby is breach (head up) this late in the pregnancy, Stephanie must have a C-section, which is scheduled [...]

Grace and Power to Serve

“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power” (Eph. 3:7). Tomorrow marks two years I have served the Lord at Word of Light Fellowship as pastor.  The time seems to have passed quickly, in a blur.  As I [...]

Dumbo

I hope the title of this post—my second of the new year—doesn’t prove to have been an ominous omen of things to come.  But I have to say, I feel kind of dumb.  I’m writing this early in the morning on Tuesday, December 29, 2009.  The last two nights I’ve struggled to fall asleep because [...]

Reflections of a First Year Pastor: Part 2

Continuing to reflect on this past year in ministry among you, I find that I’ve learned a lot about myself.  For one, I’m still very much a kid.  Yes, I’m only 26 years old, was 25 when I got here.  I’m young.  And I don’t only look young, but I sometimes act really young.  There’s [...]