One of the challenges we face as pilgrims on the road of discipleship is the frailty of our own convictions. We may commit ourselves to an act of obedience or to stand boldly for Christ, but when the chips are
How do we know the will of God? As a pastor, this is one of the most common questions we receive from believers and non-believers alike. Motivations for asking this question vary. Some may wish to know for ease of
Psalm 19 is one of my favorite Psalms. It speaks of the glory of God that is made evident by the vastness, perfection and majesty of the world he has made. It begins, “The heavens declare the glory of God,
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). As we celebrate Easter we remember the sacrifice of our Lord and His victory
As I write this Pastor’s Pen I am also preparing for our annual Ash Wednesday service, which will mark the beginning of the Season of Lent. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Lent is known as the season of “bright sadness.”
In today’s culture, we think of this word in its negative definition. We think that to be condescending means to talk down to someone as though they are inferior to us. Many of us have probably, at one time, felt
What does it mean to be poor? As a teenager living in Hong Kong, the shortest route home from school was through a crowded “cardboard village,” where the residents lived in homes shackled together from scraps of tin, plastic and
Luke begins his gospel with the account of a priest named Zechariah, and his wife, Elizabeth; and he begins by telling us two things about them: they were old, and they had no children because Elizabeth was barren. One of
What a joy it is for my family to celebrate another advent season with you, our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Over the 15 years we have had the honor and privilege of serving Christ with you, you have
