Pastor Note #23 — Marking Time

Seasons come and go, cycling from one to the next.  Our calendars turn from one year to the next.  Time passes along, steadily, inescapably, unavoidably, relentlessly. Recently, I was sitting in the dental chair waiting for my dentist to finish with another patient across the room.  The dentist was saying something to that patient about … Continue reading Pastor Note #23 — Marking Time

Prayer Note #19 — A Christian’s Prayer at the Turning of the Year

A Christian’s Prayer at the Turning of the Year   Lord Jesus, you are the Word through whom all things were spoken into existence.  You are the eternal Word who was present before the beginning of time itself.  And you are the Word who became flesh to live in this world of days and nights, … Continue reading Prayer Note #19 — A Christian’s Prayer at the Turning of the Year

Prayer Note #18 — Holy Pleasures

You, O Lord, give blessings and fullness of pleasures.  Your pleasures surpass all the little, passing pleasures of sin and self-service.  Serving you is the richest form of pleasure, though my worldly eyes have trouble recognizing that.   Correct my vision today and always, so that I will be able to see, recognize, and hunger after … Continue reading Prayer Note #18 — Holy Pleasures

Prayer Note #17 — Heavy Burdens

What heavy burdens life seems to lay on me, Lord!  Is it because the burdens are heavy or because my shoulders are weak?  Is it because I needlessly toss burdens on my back that you haven't given me?  Is it because I am prone to name as burdens things that you name as gifts and … Continue reading Prayer Note #17 — Heavy Burdens

Prayer Note #15 — A Pastor’s Prayer before Worship

I look to you, my Lord and my God.  I look to you.  The worship of your people and my part in it all hangs on the working of your Spirit.  Be gracious and patient with us, because we do come here full of sin and self-centeredness.  We are idolatrous people, because much of our … Continue reading Prayer Note #15 — A Pastor’s Prayer before Worship

Pastor Note #16 — “Sex With a Purpose”

  What is sex?  And what is it for?  And is your answer any of my business anyway? For all our modern western  society’s fixation on sexuality, I don’t see any evidence that we are any less confused about it than our great grandparents.  So many books are being published on how to deal with … Continue reading Pastor Note #16 — “Sex With a Purpose”