Pastor Tom's Journal

Jesus is the master of contradiction. To the one who skims the surface of superficial consideration, he is a contradiction within himself. To those whose only lenses on God is a moralistic and vindictive vision, he contradicts God. To those rooted in the rat race of winning at all costs, his approach contradicts reality. Yet, he keeps showing up. The paradoxical truths contained in his life and words are our only possibility of any unity of thinking. "You can accept Jesus, you can reject Jesus, but you cannot reasonably ignore him." - M. Scott Peck Those words by M. Scott Peck resonate in so many ways. At the same time, Jesus himself leaves us with what seem to be conflicting messages. They either knock us off balance or jerks us about with such definition that they restore the balance we never had. I tend to go with the second possibility. For instance: "Judge not." How do you reconcile Jesus' persistent call to repentance with the rather blatant command not to...

 Sometimes, the world does not seem like such a smart place with smart people making smart decisions. That can be very frightening we have artificial intelligence. We can purchase that. However, we cannot buy wisdom. There is no software for it. Here is the friend link: https://medium.com/@tomsims/stupid-is-as-stupid-does-43ec8222db90?sk=0819fee6a6d54e3a07515c61394ca9f5 It is free. Here is the member link. It does not cost you any more if you are a member, but it helps me. https://medium.com/@tomsims/stupid-is-as-stupid-does-43ec8222db90

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