Pastor Tom's Journal

Courage, Confrontation, and Crisis | Matthew 21:18–46 Jesus walks into the fire. As the conflict in Jerusalem intensifies, Jesus does not retreat. Through the fruitless fig tree, the challenge to his authority, the parable of the two sons, the wicked tenants, and the rejected cornerstone, Jesus exposes the danger of profession without practice. He does not manufacture trouble or stir up contention for its own sake. He uncovers contradictions that are already present and directs attention toward their true sources. Then he brings everyone to a defining moment—a crisis of truth and choice centered upon himself. Courage enters the danger. Confrontation uncovers the truth. Crisis demands a decision about the Cornerstone. Read the complete reflection, subscriber Bible study, personal inventory, and small-group discussion guide: https://tomsims.substack.com/p/courage-confrontation-and-crisis

  THE LORD NEEDS THIS Matthew 21:1–17 Jesus entered Jerusalem as a humble King, riding a borrowed donkey. He overturned the tables that obstructed prayer, made room for wounded people to receive healing, and welcomed the praise of children. The Lord needed a donkey, two obedient disciples, and someone willing to release what had been tied up. What might the Lord need from us? Watch the full sermon: https://www.facebook.com/tomsims/videos/1625032299151069/ Read the sermon and expanded subscriber study: https://tomsims.substack.com/p/the-lord-needs-this Join the Fellowship of Joy discussion group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fellowshipofjoy/ Short Version Discussion questions: What might God be asking you to untie, release, or make available? What “table” may need to be overturned because it is obstructing prayer, mercy, healing, or welcome? Who needs more room to approach Jesus through your life or community? Share your response in the comments or join us in the Fellowship of Jo...

   Can You Drink the Cup? Matthew 20:17–34 Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem. He tells his disciples plainly what is waiting for him there: betrayal, condemnation, mockery, flogging, crucifixion—and resurrection. He is going up to Jerusalem, but the way up is sometimes down. It is down into service. Down into compassion. Down into surrender. Down into the costly love that refuses to grasp for power. And immediately after Jesus tells them this, James and John come seeking the best seats in the kingdom. They want one at his right hand and one at his left. They are posturing and negotiating. They still seem to imagine that Jesus is going to march into Jerusalem, take over, and need a couple of trusted associates to help him run things. We understand that impulse. You can still visit old Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, where a guide will point out pews once rented by prominent families. They bought the best seats, and no one else could sit there. Even afte...

What has you? In Matthew 19:16–30, a rich young man asks Jesus, “What good thing must I do to have eternal life?” He approaches eternal life as another achievement—something to acquire, possess, and add to everything else he owns. Jesus meets him where he is, but leads him beyond rule keeping, spiritual accounting, and accumulated merit. He places his finger on the possession that has become possessive and gives the invitation: Go. Sell. Give. Come. Follow. The destination is not poverty for poverty’s sake. The destination is discipleship. The man’s problem is not merely what he lacks. It is what he has—and what has him. What possesses you? Money? Reputation? Control? Achievement? Resentment? Position? Certainty? Even a carefully maintained religious identity? Salvation is not another human acquisition. “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Read the complete reflection and access the subscriber Bible study and group discussion guide: https://tomsims.subst...

Summer may be winding down, but here in California’s Central Valley, we still have a “second summer”—one more chance to get out, explore, and enjoy what is close to home. In my latest article for Kings River Life Magazine, I reflect on all those summer plans we meant to make and offer a few ideas for turning the remaining warm days into memorable ones. We may not be able to do everything, but there is still time to do something. What Central Valley adventure would you like to fit in before summer finally slips away? Read “Second Summer: One More Chance to Get Out in the Central Valley”: https://kingsriverlife.com/08/15/second-summer-one-more-chance-to-get-out-in-the-central-valley/ #SecondSummer #CentralValley #CaliforniaLiving #ExploreCalifornia #VisitTheCentralValley #FresnoCounty #KingsRiverLife #SummerAdventures #LocalTravel #ThingsToDo #Staycation #CaliforniaTravel #TomSims

  The Pharisees ask what the law permits a man to do. Jesus redirects them toward what God intends. In Matthew 19:1–15, Jesus moves us: • From control to covenant • From disposability to dignity • From conformity to calling • From exclusion to welcome Jesus will not allow law, marriage, singleness, or religious custom to become a mechanism for controlling, discarding, or excluding people. He calls us away from hard-heartedness and toward covenant faithfulness, human dignity, and openhearted welcome. His teaching must never be used to excuse cruelty, protect abuse, silence wounded people, or exclude those whose relationships have ended. The same Jesus who honors covenant also protects human dignity and opens his arms to wounded people. Read the sermon companion and access the subscriber study and reflection guides: https://tomsims.substack.com/p/the-hard-heart-and-the-open-arms Hard Questions:   https://pastortom.blog/2026/08/16/hard-hearts-or-open-arms/ Join the Conversat...