Pastor Tom's Journal

Where is satisfaction? Where is significance? Where is real importance? Where is true value? Where is fulfillment? These are the illusive intangibles of life that make life worth living. Free Link to article with answers, two recorded messages, great songs, and more - https://medium.com/@tomsims/i-cant-get-no-satisfaction-d1632d724b0f?sk=a19c3b6c366c5abb8c8e52d2f505c99b If you are a Medium member, you can use the free link or this one: https://medium.com/@tomsims/i-cant-get-no-satisfaction-d1632d724b0f https://fb.watch/BQ9yzjyJt6/

Read at https://medium.com/@tomsims/you-are-set-free-49b3479f0ca1?sk=a51784e31d0152028b960e8d9f5323a6

These reflections are on aging with ADHD and impatience. I resurrect an old reflection today as I consider the years. My night dreams are those of years gone by. The news I regularly receive is of friends who have died, I find myself far too attracted to nostalgia. Yet, I remember what it is like to be the youngest person in the room. I recall the energetic enthusiasm of having all the years and possibilities ahead of me. I recite Dr. Suess' words with feeling, "How did it get so late, so soon?" I am going to pass on the free link today even though it is also behind the pay wall. https://medium.com/@tomsims/it-may-be-late-but-let-us-live-in-the-light-of-dawn-74da84b58df7?sk=c9df1a0856dbb5eb640bc55659ec4124 https://vimeo.com/1112576694?share=copy

Digging deeper from a message on opposition and division, we consider the role of faith in shaping us and preparing us to run the race of life as heroes. In this sermon, we discuss a challenging passage from Jesus' teachings in Luke 12:49-56, focusing on the themes of division, fire, and baptism.  Jesus' message is more descriptive than prescriptive, highlighting the reality of division and conflict that can arise from following Him.  We see the paradox of Jesus as both a catalyst for division and a source of peace. Jesus endures the cross, being both judge and accused.  He encourages listeners to persevere through life's challenges.  As we race through fire, we have Jesus’ presence and support.  Faith in the Fire https://medium.com/p/faith-in-the-fire-87eb7c78fe18?source=social.tw Free Friend Link -  https://medium.com/@tomsims/faith-in-the-fire-87eb7c78fe18?sk=6a7734597cc90d2e815e83979ec8726c

Digging deeper from a message on opposition and division, we consider the role of faith in shaping us and preparing us to run the race of life as heroes. In this sermon, we discuss a challenging passage from Jesus' teachings in Luke 12:49-56, focusing on the themes of division, fire, and baptism.   Jesus' message is more descriptive than prescriptive, highlighting the reality of division and conflict that can arise from following Him.   We see the paradox of Jesus as both a catalyst for division and a source of peace. Jesus endures the cross, being both judge and accused.   He encourages listeners to persevere through life's challenges.   As we race through fire, we have Jesus’ presence and support.   Faith in the Fire https://medium.com/p/faith-in-the-fire-87eb7c78fe18?source=social.tw Free Friend Link -    https://medium.com/@tomsims/faith-in-the-fire-87eb7c78fe18?sk=6a7734597cc90d2e815e83979ec8726c

If you prefer, Facebook: https://fb.watch/Bvb74G1_yy/ Come to Church Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.- Hebrews 10:22 We have often heard and spoken the words, “Come to church” When we say them, our hearts are right. Deep inside we know that the church is not a building made with hands, but a gathered people. We are inviting our friends to gather with us at the place where the church convenes. See more: Also, find and share from Medium: https://medium.com/@tomsims/church-in-the-wildwood-dab287720563?sk=37212d5e47ae7c9a8ddb790d9e81e9ec https://medium.com/.../church-in-the-wildwood-dab287720563 makes me a penny if you are a member of Medium.

Be prepared. Live by faith. Faith is made up of: 1. Assumptions 2. Actions 3. Activation Read at https://medium.com/@tomsims/be-ready-and-live-by-faith-fbd398348c60?sk=8589c7be4fd7257be8833e095b33ce34 If you are a Medium member, help me make a penny: https://medium.com/@tomsims/be-ready-and-live-by-faith-fbd398348c60 Here is a synopsis: https://fb.watch/BoFyYZIpvt/ Subscribe to the Bible Chat podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D6KDtEhh2A&list=PLOiYPMCf1trxsROSMB1v6jodqpDK2uKgo

Photo by  Iñaki del Olmo  on  Unsplash Bad Laws and Good Laws What is the difference between a good law and a bad law?   No, this is not the setup for a joke.  A bad law oppresses people.  Bad laws put unnecessary burdens on people.  Bad laws prey upon widows, orphans, and the poor.  Good laws, by contrast, help those who bad laws hurt.  That is the difference according to Isaiah's prophetic word.  Isaiah 10:1-4 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.   To share from YouTu...

Do You Have Eyes in Your Head? Then, you are wise. “The wise have eyes in their head, but fools walk in darkness.” What is the principal difference between wise people and foolish people? It is perception. Of course, once something is perceived, it must be processed, but the processing functions are often crippled by lack of critical and attentive. perceiving. “Eyes in our head” indicates that we are paying attention. We are receiving information. We are seeing. listening, and noticing. We are asking questions and hearing answers. We are looking around, looking up, and looking within. We are double-checking. We are open. We are reasonable. We are sensitive. Fools walk in darkness, but God gives light. Walk in the light as Christ is in the light. Ecclesiastes 2:1–17 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition I said to myself, “Come now, I will make a test of pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But again, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of p...

Are you wealthy? Whatever your answer, the follow question is: Are you sure? Consider what the scriptures have to say. Speaking of wealth, if you cannot afford a Medium subscription, use this free link for my friends: https://medium.com/@tomsims/how-to-get-rich-and-how-not-to-7282cc2c901c?sk=f300f05bd093986d880a28df0b32db7b If you are a subscriber, I would not mind making a penny and would appreciate you using this link (You are already paying your $5 a month as I am): https://medium.com/@tomsims/how-to-get-rich-and-how-not-to-7282cc2c901c If you are on Facebook. you can watch this video on: https://fb.watch/BfoM6DBOVL/

Staring at the stars and gasping at the wonder of our own miniature stature, even as there is a universe inside of us. We sigh. Friend link if you are not a Medium member. It is free! - https://medium.com/@tomsims/how-big-is-big-e64c396c9e9d?sk=daccf84cb2aba8a744d2fc0ffc6a110a Member link. If you are a Medium member, use this link and help me make a penny. - https://medium.com/@tomsims/how-big-is-big-e64c396c9e9d How big is big? How vast is the sum of countless unknowns? How incalculable is this universe we call home? How small we are!

Ephesians 4:17-24 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer walk as the gentiles walk, in the futility of their minds;  they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.  They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.  That is not the way you learned Christ!  For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus,  to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts,  and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,  and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.