Pastor’s Blog (Page 9)

During our February Retreat we met the theme of mercy over and over in the book of Jonah. When we come to the New Testament gospels we find them reverberating with the mercy of the Lord: In the epistles we are taught the theological underpinnings of God’s mercy: But what about in the book of Acts, where the word mercy is entirely absent? Did God pause His mercy…

Have you ever noticed how often the word “new” is used in advertising and promotional material? It’s a hands-down favorite of marketing professionals. And it works! It gets our attention! There is something about new that appeals to us. I think the Lord must have wired us that way. This Sunday we begin a new series at 9:30am called Experiencing God.…

It’s 2023 and we’re thinking, “How can I be a better me in 23?” Perhaps we should give attention to some of the graces of life. Like tact. The original meaning of tact, says J. Oswald Sanders, referred to the sense of touch (as in “tactile”), and came to mean skill in dealing with persons or sensitive situations. Tact is that intuitive perception—and especially a…

Have you ever wondered why Moses allotted more space in Genesis for the Joseph story than for anyone else’s story? More than Abraham, of all people! Not what I’d have expected. Is it because Moses saw in Joseph the early fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? (Promises such as: “A very great and numerous nation will descend from you; all the…

In our journey through Genesis, have you noticed how frequently God bypassed the 1st-born?Seth was chosen… instead of Cain.Isaac… instead of Ishmael.Jacob…. instead of Esau.Joseph… instead of Reuben.Ephraim… instead of Manasseh. The pattern continues beyond Genesis: Moses, Gideon, David, Solomon… Why would God bypass the first-born so often, when He very clearly defends…

If Jacob was anything, he was intentional. Earlier in life he very intentionally wrangled his way for the birthright and his father’s deathbed blessing (Gen 25:31, ff.; 27:1-29). Then there was his determined, seven-year quest to marry Rachel (29:15-20); the meticulously executed plan to increase his spotted and speckled flocks (30:32, ff.), and the covertly…