Pastor Tom's Journal

“For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” – Psalm 36:9   One of the first lighthouses ever built, certainly one of the most famous, was the Lighthouse of Alexandria in 280 BC. Situated on the Egyptian island of Pharos, it was at one time thought to be the tallest structure on earth at 383 - 440 feet. Many lives were rescued because of its existence.   Its purpose was the same as that of all lighthouses: to warn ships away from dangerous shores and guide them in the night.   No ship’s captain ever complained about a lighthouse getting in his way or inconveniencing him in his journey. Many a lighthouse has saved many a life.   James 1:17 says,  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.   Man-made lighthouses point us to the reality of God’s gracious willingness to warn us and guide us because He loves us. He desires ...

For Medium Members, Click the link below. https://medium.com/@tomsims/to-know-god-f11bc475afca For Non-Medium Members, Free Friend Link https://medium.com/@tomsims/to-know-god-f11bc475afca?sk=c1cd8f9186b5646ab0cfd26f6d235df1 A God that We Might Know There is a God who desires to be known and there are people who desire, whether they know it or not, to know God. https://youtu.be/9NCjE8Qubt4

Five Priorities for Relational Living ------- People before preferences. Love before liberty. Grace over gluttony. Open hearts over over-opinionated headstrong determination. Faith over all choices.

I failed to elaborate on the word, "Insist," but read it and heed it. When the world is upside down, what is our part in turning things around? #reisstance   #evil   #civildisobedience   #speakingout   #standingfirm   #politicalspeech

What Kind of God Would You Prefer? The judgment of God is an indication that God cares. #judgment #judgmental #grace #love #God #Law #rightandwrong #ethics #love

A New Heaven and a New Earth - The Bird's Eye View God is making all things new. Revelation 21:1-6 Stay in touch https://linktr.ee/tomsims - with various ways to connect https://linktr.ee/tomsims SUMMARY The messag by Tom Sims, focused on the concept of gaining a 'bird's eye view' or 'God's eye view' of reality and eternity through scripture and prayer. Sims emphasized the importance of understanding the broader perspective of life, which helps make sense of smaller details and fosters a deeper comprehension of God's creation. He discussed the biblical vision of a new Heaven and a new Earth, where divisions between God and mortals are removed, and all things are made new. This vision is linked to the idea of God's presence among people, as illustrated by the New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven. Sims highlighted the significance of love and community, urging participants to live out God's love and reflect His glory in the world. He conclu...

When Your Name Is Called   #MothersDay #identity #shepherd #voiceofGod  #whoyouare  #mysheep #goodshepherd #iandthefatherareone Happy Mother's Day      When did you first hear your name?   What is your name?  What happens when your name is called?   Mother's Day is a celebration of one absolutely wonderful human relationship.   All human relationships point us to the one vital and life-giving relationship that is necessary for real life, a relationship with God.   When Your Name Is Called       Rise Up! (Acts 9)     Rest. (Psalm  23)     Rejoice! (Revelation 7: 9ff     Respond, (John  10:22ff)   https://pastortomsims.typepad.com/5-8-22.pdf  https://youtu.be/nPSbMN6-Krw    SUMMARY  The meeting, led by Tom Sims, focused on the significance of names and their spiritual implications, using biblical references...

The Anointed One “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,   To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” - Luke 4:18-19 “…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: …” Acts 10:38   To be anointed is to be a messiah. To be a messiah means to be anointed. Kings were anointed in Old Testament times. Saul was anointed as was David. The prophets told of an anointed one who would be the ultimate Messiah of Israel. Jesus came as King, but, in Him, Messiah meant much more. Kings can be benevolent or malevolent. They can carry a concern for the larger family of humanity or be entirely parochial in their concern. They can lean toward violence or toward peace. Jesus would first be a servant and a savior. His anointing was as redeemer, liberator, ...

  Can It Help Us Communicate AND Can People Change? - All in One Post The only way I could know if it would be helpful would be to try. Weigh in. These are the AI notes from my sermon on the conversion of Paul. Do they accurately summarize my message? Can they be helpful to my students and listeners? Would you want to try it? The jury is out. Can a person really change? Is conversion possible? How does it happen? SUMMARY (from AI notetaker) This message by Tom Sims, focused on the theme of personal transformation through faith, using the biblical story of Saul of Tarsus's conversion to Paul as a central example. The discussion delved into the nature of change, questioning whether anyone is beyond the capacity for transformation and what it means to become a new person in Christ. Sims explored Saul's background, his initial opposition to Christianity, and the pivotal moment on the road to Damascus where he encountered a divine light and voice, leading to his conversion. The narr...