A Pastor in The Northwest

There's a comic book I used to enjoy reading that asked that question. Basically, the comic book presented a crazy scenario where superheroes did things completely differently. According to Wikipedia, "What If, sometimes stylized as What If…?, is a comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics whose stories explore how the Marvel Universe might have unfolded if key moments in its history had not occurred as they did in mainstream continuity." Basically what if things happened differently? Sometimes we do that in our lives, right? Sometimes we wonder what would be different if we'd made different choices in key areas of our lives - finances, relationships, hobbies, habits, etc. Of course, this is an impossible and probably in some cases a negative mental exercise right? Let's change this to a more hopeful tone - what if God does ______________? That's right - you fill in the blank. What could be done if He stepped in and changed everything? You know,

This week started with a beautiful sunshine-filled Monday in our part of the world and I hope you got a chance to enjoy it a bit! This week is also a bit heavy for me in my pastoral role as I help a couple of families say goodbye to loved ones who've passed away. In one of those celebrations of life, I was asked to sing a favorite old hymn about an old rugged cross. Here is verse 3 of The Old Rugged Cross, In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me. It's like ground zero for every follower of Jesus right?  I did a bit of homework on the writer George Bennard who was born in Ohio just after the end of the US Civil War. He wrote, "I read and studied and prayed...The Christ of the Cross became more than a symbol...It was like seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form, and act out the meaning of redemption..." As I sing it this week at the fu

What do these words mean to you? Metamorphosis. Conversion. Reconstruction. Remaking. Remodeling. Changeover. Reformation. That's a lot of words right? Yet, these are all conveying the single idea of transformation. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, transformation means "a complete change in the appearance or character of something or someone, especially so that that thing or person is improved:" I like that idea of 'improved'. We're encouraged in Romans 12:1-2 to embrace a 'Holy Spirit makeover' if you will. Listen to Paul's words to the church in ancient Rome: So, my dear family, this is my appeal to you by the mercies of God: offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. That’s what properly thought-out worship looks like. What’s more, don’t let yourselves be squeezed into the shape dictated by the present age. Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you can work out what God’s will is, what is g

I recently read a book of poems by Yung Pueblo (pen name) called The Way Forward that was recommended to me. I found it quite insightful in many ways, but, in one way in particular: the art of saying less. Here's one poem in the collection: saying less is incredibly helpful not every thought is valuable not every feeling needs to be voiced what is often best is to slow down and spend time developing a clearer and more informed perspective ego rushes and reacts, but peace moves purposefully and gently Wow - I need to work on this. Maybe it's the danger for anyone who speaks publicly - preachers especially. The poem reminded me of a few Scriptures like: Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. -Ecclesiastes 5:2 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry... -James 1:19 Indeed, sometim