Pastor John's Journey

06/03/2024

Yesterday I talked about Samuel and hearing the voice of God. This morning, I read a quote from Pope Francis that stated it is easier to discern the voice of God from the voice of evil. He said that evil will build you up and then tell you that you are worthless. I know a lot of people who have heard the voice of evil in the church where they have been told to "hate the sin but love the sinner." AS I read the Sermon on the mount, Jesus says, "Judge not, unless you want to be judged." He instructs us to remove the plank from our own eye before we offer to help someone else with their speck of dust from theirs. It is not for me to judge another person but to seek first God's Kingdom. So, listen to God, not your own prejudice. And love everyone. Peace. Amen

06/01/2024

If God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that we should have life and if that Son did not condemn the world (as he could have), we are we condemning each other. If you are a Christian, you have given up your human right to violence and hatred. I'm not talking to any other faith group or no faith group. I am talking to only Christians. If you are a Christian, you forfeit your right to hate people who are "flooding the borders" of our country. If you are a Christian, you give up the right to belittle other people because of their faith, language, gender, sexual orientation - - whatever. If you are a Christian, you have one job: Love God and love neighbor. If your behavior does not reflect a loving response (as in the way you would want to be treated) you are not acting as a Christian. Love one another as Jesus loved you. That's it. That's the whole law and prophets. If you don't want someone making decisions about your body, stop making decisions about theirs. If you don't want someone to judge you then don't judge others. Welcome the stranger. Do not make fun of other people. Do not place a person in the place of God. Do not hate. Forgive as you want God to forgive you. God loves you. I love you, Love each other. Amen

05/28/2024

There has been a lot of conversation about whether faith is a personal relationship or a corporate experience. I think it is both. There is a person relationship aspect of faith, but it can be destructive and selfish to say, "Jesus is my Lord" and do not remember that Jesus is "Lord of All." A personal relationship with God is an amazing thing. But let us not forget that we are one of God's children. We can have a relationship with Jesus that is like a sibling, but we are not the only sibling. I will say more about this in future posts. Blessings, John

05/26/2024

"Today, the Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, a celebration for contemplating and lauding the mystery of the God of Jesus Christ, who is one in the communion of three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. To celebrate with ever new wonder God-Love, who freely offers us his life and asks us to spread it throughout the world."

Pope Francis

05/26/2024

Memorial Day is about remembering those who have died so that our freedoms might be secure. Every Sunday is Memorial Day, when we remember that Jesus died that we might have true freedom and life.

05/23/2024

just a question for Trinity Sunday

04/03/2024

Wednesday of the week after the resurrection and I'm wondering what Thoms is thinking. He was away when Jesus appeared to the other Apostles. John tells us that he didn't believe his friends when they said that the risen Jesus appeared to them. for a week he is imagining that his brothers are so overcome with grief that their imaginations have caused this hallucination. it wasn't until he was given the chance to see Jesus for himself. I wonder if we sometimes think that other people are delusional because their encounter with God is different to ours. God reveals Godself to us in often unique ways. Like Thomas, we want proof that the experience is real, but that is not often the case. God has God's own revelation for us that may be completely different than other people's. Never judge someone's experience of Jesus based on your understanding. Instead, use the opportunity to expand your own understanding. Lord, make me more open to the experiences of others, Amen

03/24/2024

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Tradition has Jesus entering Jerusalem to excited shouts of "Hosanna" and the crowd declaring him King: Christ! Just a few days later, the shouts of "Hosanna" will change to "Crucify Him". One must sometimes go through trials and tribulations. But, through it all, Jesus is with us. In every situation, God is present with us. Journey with us YHWH, as we journey with Jesus, Amen 🙏

03/14/2024

Today is March 14. some call it "Pi Day" from the mathematical formula 3.14. I prefer cake to pie most of the time. My mother asked me to say something mathematical. I said Pi are squared. She said, "Pie are round, cornbread are squared." True story. How amazing is the universe that so much of its mysteries we have discovered. Life is a series of discoveries. Even if we discover something others have discovered before us. I find that reality when I read the scriptures. Every day I find something new: some new revelation that I have discovered. I am not naive enough to believe that I have discovered something no other human being has, I am just excited for my own discovery. I love preaching and teaching because I like to share with others what I have discovered. My prayer today is that you will discover something wonderful today about how the world works or about God's love revealed in others. God, help us to see you in each other and in your creation today, Amen

02/25/2024

This is another Sunday in Lent. Today, be free from your addictions and follow Jesus. Today, choose to love those who despise you, and follow Jesus. Today, make Jesus more important that family, friends, job, even church, and follow Jesus. Following Jesus means that our prejudices and sacred cows are subject to the love of God in Christ Jesus.

I'm not foolish, I know that even if you were to "drop your nets and follow Jesus" there would be struggles - - there WILL be struggles. Take heart, Jesus has already overcome your fears, frustrations, addictions, hopelessness and prejudice. So, REJOICE! the battle is won and you are free. Go, and love and serve the LORD. Amen

02/20/2024