Pastor Tom's Journal

  Strength is not permission to dominate, criticize, or win every argument. Strength is a calling to build people up. Romans 15 asks us to welcome one another as Christ welcomed us. That includes the beginner, the struggling believer, the person with unfinished theology, and the person who asks uncomfortable questions. May no one leave an encounter with us feeling crushed, hopeless, or unwanted. Use your strength to serve. Use your knowledge to encourage. Expand the welcome—and let hope overflow. Read and hear the fully study: https://tomsims.substack.com/p/welcome-one-another Bible Chat with Tom Sims https://biblechatonline.com https://linktr.ee/tomsims #BibleChat #Romans15 #WelcomeOneAnother #ChristianCommunity #ServantLeadership #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianEncouragement #AboundInHope

  We all appreciate mountaintop moments—times of inspiration, clarity, worship, and renewed vision. But Jesus does not invite us to build shelters and remain there. He leads us into the valley, where people suffer, disciples fail, and our strength proves inadequate. That is where mustard-seed faith becomes real. God does not give us the mountain so that we can escape the valley. He gives us glory for the valley. See Jesus in his glory. Listen to him on the mountain. Follow him into the valley. Trust him at the cross .Remember his resurrection.   Dive deeper and utilize small group tools: https://tomsims.substack.com (biblechatonline.com) You can also watch or share   the whole sermon on Facebook : https://fb.watch/IBULGpCibx/ or YouTube Five questions for reflection and conversation: 1. What mountaintop experience has helped sustain you through a difficult valley? 2. Is Jesus saying something to you that you have found difficult to hear or accept? 3....

Long before Zoom meetings and Slack, I learned an unforgettable lesson about divided attention. While waiting to support a live online conversation between Vice President Al Gore and my remarkable friend Georgia Griffith, I found a harmless way to pass the time—or so I thought. Unfortunately, everyone could see it. Sometimes our most embarrassing moments become our best stories... and our best teachers. Read the full story: https://medium.com/@tomsims/how-i-got-caught-playing-craps-with-the-vice-president-f7eee1f4f4b0?sk=f90a55be00521e5e98dac14055f50ada

  “God is still in the city.” Zephaniah describes a city that refuses to listen, rejects correction, abandons trust, and moves away from God. Its officials, judges, prophets, and priests have corrupted their callings. Yet God has not changed. God remains righteous—and judgment is not the end of the story. God’s purpose is purification, restoration, and the creation of a humble people who can serve together, shoulder to shoulder. Read and listen: https://tomsims.substack.com/p/god-is-still-in-the-city #BibleChat #Zephaniah #BibleStudy #Faith #Leadership #Repentance #Restoration

  Pastor Tom’s Community is a collection of biblical reflections, pastoral observations, devotional studies, personal stories, and practical encouragement for Christian living. Some posts begin with the daily Scripture readings. Others grow from sermons, memories, questions, conversations, or moments when an old passage speaks with new clarity. This index gathers recent articles in one place so readers can revisit a meaningful reflection or discover something they may have missed. Visit Pastor Tom’s Community: https://pastortom.blog/ July 2026 When the Right Answer Is Not Enough Peter correctly confessed Jesus as the Christ, but he still misunderstood what kind of Messiah Jesus would be. This study of Matthew 16 explores why a correct confession must reshape our thinking and lead us into the way of the cross. Read: https://pastortom.blog/2026/07/19/when-the-right-answer-is-not-enough/ Go Back, Stand Still, or Move Forward? The Israelites stood with the sea before them and Pharaoh’...