Pastor Tom's Journal

Art by Laura James, LauraJamesArt.com Big questions keep us awake at night. The answers define where we stand in relation to ultimate truth. They either cloud our view or take us to new vistas of awareness. The psalmist asks a question. Who can live close to God? Who does God invite into proximity with the divine presence. Psalm 15:1 - Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill ? The grand question introduces the next set of lessons from the psalms and sparks the imagination of all earnest seekers. As believers in Christ, we have the answer in the gospel, but the very asking of the question is a matter of opening to God for all that He desires to teach us. Do not take truth for granted or treat it as if it were not ever new and renewing. Allow the question to move you to the next level of seeking as you go before the Father in prayer today. Psalm 15:2 - … He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart… Here ...

  It Is Proper Art Credit: Valente, Liz. Baptism of Jesus, Original source: Liz Valente,  https://www.instagram.com/donalizvalente/ . Preparing the Way “For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” – Matthew 3:3 Every prophetic function with its fulfillment has its counterpart in our lives and it is up to us to seek it. What does it mean for us, as the people of God, to prepare the way for the Lord? How have those who have gone before us prepared a straight path for Him in our lives? How have events and people shaped us so that we could be ready to receive His Word? God’s ways always involve preparation. He does nothing haphazardly or without thought and planning. When He desires to speak, He prepares the message, the messenger, and the hearer. When He is about to act, He informs His servants the prophets. He is a God of precision and perfect order. He does ...

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Readings for Today on Readiness Isaiah. 5:8-12,18-23 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Luke 21:20-28 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah.+5%3A8-12%2C18-23+1+Thessalonians+5%3A1-11+Luke+21%3A20-28&version=NRSVUE Stay in Touch https://linktr.ee/tomsims

Starting a new entrepreneurial venture, like a business, a social enterprise, a congregation, or a non-profit organization is like learning to ride a bike or a horse. It is a new set of skills, but it can be done. People do it every day. https://pastortomsims.typepad.com/the_dream_factory/2022/11/get-on-the-entrepreneurial-horse.html