Pastor Tom's Blog

“Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen; nobody knows but Jesus.” These are the words to an old hymn written two years after the Civil War. The comfort it brought was immeasurable, but the comfort was less about the hymn and more about the Character of God.

The devil looks for every opportunity to stumble you and those you love. Let’s stay alert and protect the people around us.

Faithful people are hard to find, but once you find one, hold him close. His faithfulness is contagious, and before you know it, others will want to hold you close.

Feelings are unreliable, and often down-right deceitful. So, why do we listen to them so much?

The world says, “Knowledge is valuable, and the more knowledgeable you are, the more valuable you are.” But if that’s true, why does God often keep us in the dark?

Prayer changes our world. Prayer changes you! Everything is better when people pray. Maybe that’s why Jesus taught that, “men ought to always pray.”

The world has many opinions, some different than others. But the Bible is more than an opinion. It’s the Truth. Are we quick to give ourselves to it?

Every major event in history began with an idea. When ideas are cultivated, they bring forth behavior, either good or evil. God-given “helmets” protect the ideas that bring forth God’s goodness and abundant life.

Satan’s darts are lethal, and he’s always looking to poison hearts with worry, fear or needless trouble. Therefore, keep your shield of faith raised high!

“Shod your feet with the Gospel of peace,” implies we take it to our streets, and for good reason! The Gospel message bring peace to both the souls of men and to the neighborhoods of nations.

In battle, breastplates kept soldiers alive by protecting vital organs. And the most vital of all organs is the heart!

Our Founding Fathers believed that the preservation of liberty was only possible through the Truth of Scripture and implementing its moral ethics. Oh, how we need the Scripture today!

Satan is out to torment and destroy you, but God gives us the means to defeat him every time. Over the next few weeks, we will explore each piece of God’s armor and its necessity to keep Satan under our feet.

What do abusive leaders, spouses and governments all have in common? They want to control others. Jesus never did. He served others. Jesus also taught to be careful of wolves in sheep’s clothing. How can we spot them?

Throughout history, human governments are rarely good. Deep divisions, fear, anger, oppression, even violence are common. So, how are Christians to respond to their governments?

Our world is in trouble! It’s time God’s people start praying, and here’s why.

Loyalty is not defined by what benefits you but by what costs you. Loyalty to Christ may cost you everything, but God Himself will strengthen you.

Sickness, setbacks, accidents and mishaps happen to all of us. Too often, those of us who love God, question whether or not all things are truly working together for our good. Question no more!

Hope is in short supply today, but Jesus has the message of Hope. Let’s embrace it.

Words are like harps or spears. They can either comfort or kill. King Saul loved spears and he died tragically. King David loved harps and he lived triumphantly. How bout you?

We all need money, and certainly, money can make life easier. But also, money can cause great sorrow. So, what’s the difference?

People walk away from failures. God runs to them! People shun failures. God loves them! Have you failed? You’re in good company. Let me introduce a few of them to you.

Conflicting messages on faith, family and country leave many with an identity crisis. But Christians are not of this world. Our identity is fashioned by God’s Word.

“Oh, he’ll never change!” says a disgruntled wife. But if a married couple loves Jesus, they’ll both change!

Many admire Jesus today, but don’t want to follow Him. A Christ admirer or a Christ follower- What’s the difference?

God has never meant for us to live life alone. The more connected we are, the better we are.

The human soul cannot survive without hope. Perhaps that’s why atheists attend church around Christmas time.

When you are excellent in the little things, the big things in life generally work themselves out.

Weariness or woundedness, either can take its toll on our well-being. Connecting with God and people are God’s gift to restore wholeness and health.

The world is full of danger. We fear for our children, our income, our country, and even our safety. But what would Jesus say?

Words bombard us every minute of every day. But do they keep us from hearing what really matters?

Could it be that God’s greatest gifts are flawed people?

We are all discipled by someone or something. What disciples you?

I love God’s ministers, both those who carry Bibles and those who carry guns.

Have you ever imagined being a superhero? Which one is God’s favorite?

Yes, the Bible works! Whether you’re a believing Christian or an atheist, if you practice its principles, the Bible will benefit you. Have you considered a relationship with its Author?

Years ago, a teenager sat in my rather large, thriving youth group, unnoticed, unpopular and anonymous, but in one moment, he changed the lives of us all.

Rest is very important to God. We operate better when we rest. But rest is not doing less. It’s doing the right thing.

God loves to do, “a new thing”, but often, doing something new isn’t the comfortable thing. Are you tired of the same old thing? Then, take a risk.

“Love.” We throw the word around a lot to describe our affections toward something. We love Jesus, but we also love potato chips. So, let’s define true love.

We are better together. After listening to this story you will agree.

Life is hard. We live in a broken world full of pain and disappointments, and then we die. Is there something more to life, and I’m just not seeing it?

Like a cancer, bitterness brings death. True forgiveness, demonstrated by Jesus on the Cross, fosters new hope, dispels anger and rekindles new life.

We all make plans, and sometimes, we make disappointments, because those plans never work out. However, does God use our planned failures?

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” At first glance, this sounds like we all need a plan of action. But it actually means so much more!

Many people disregard the Bible, at best to be mythological, and at worst, the enemy to all that is progressive. However, it declares to be the highest of all Authority, the message of God to all of mankind. Do you believe it?

Birds are different in size, shapes and color. If you had a choice, what kind of bird would you be? As always, there’s something to be learned.

Was there a moment that changed everything? Absolutely! It’s a moment that will change you, too, and then everything around you.

Sadness is an unwelcome visitor. We wish he would go away, but often he is sent by God.

We are compared to soldiers in the Scriptures. Why is that? What is it about a soldier that is pleasing to God?

Jesus took the complicated issues of His day and made them simple. Truth is always simple. That’s why children often understand more quickly than adults.

No matter how strong, rich or capable, everyone faces three inescapable dilemmas. But there is a cure!

James tells us that words can cause a “world of iniquity,” and are worse than, “deadly poison.” On the other hand, Solomon says that good words bring “sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Use words wisely!

According to the dictionary, “Successful” means, “Having achieved popularity, profit or favorable distinction.” If that’s true, then the picture of Jesus on the Cross is the ultimate failure.

The devil, the darkness and evil are always loud, but Truth whispers. Are you listening?

Expectations have built-in disappointments. School, career, marriage, church and friendships, all have expectations that if unmet can result in a let down. Keep you ambitions high and your expectations low. You’ll be happier!

Life is full of risks. We all face circumstances that threaten us with danger, harm or loss. However, God called His beloved to take risks, because faith grows in risky soils.

God wants us to remember certain things, but He also wants us to forget certain things, too. According to the Scripture, what should we forget?

Remembering is important to God, and so is forgetting. According to the Bible, what should we remember and what should we forget?

What do you value in life? It’s easy to know the answer by recognizing what captures your time, treasure and talent. An even better question to ask is, do you value what God values?

Jesus was the ultimate Outsider. He stood up against the popular people and popular ideas of His day. Eventually, He was crucified for it. Are you willing to live as Jesus did, to stand up for Truth and live as an outsider?

Whether you realize it or not, you influence others, either for good or evil. Do you pay attention to your influence? God designed you to influence others for His goodness and glory.

Could things get worse in our beloved country? Absolutely! But there’s also a way to prevent it.

Everything in life is enhanced by thankfulness. Without it, we grow gloomy, suspicious and self-entitled. Maybe that’s why the Scriptures insist we give thanks in all things!

Everything in life needs maintenance- cars, houses, flowerbeds. Intangible things need maintenance, too- marriages, relationships, even our faith in Christ needs ongoing upkeep. How does a relationship with Jesus help us maintain everything important in life?

Forgiveness sets people free of wrongdoing. Are you quick to set people free, or do you relish the control that unforgiveness brings? Be careful! Your decision changes everything.

Can you guess what the two words are? They’re hard to say unless your heart is filled with the Holy Spirit. The benefit of these two words is riches, honor and life. They restore relationship with both God and man. They foster forgiveness, healing and joy. Do you know them?

Ever hear of the “Giga-Church”? Larger than the Mega-Church, Giga-Churches are those with 30,000 or more in attendance. God uses large churches in many ways. Certainly, they offer many programs that smaller churches cannot. However, is there a downside? Absolutely!

Difficult people are everywhere! Do you know one? Some might say, “Yes, I’m married to one, and my church is full of them!” And I wouldn’t dispute that! After all, Difficult people are God's gift to make you more like Christ.

Some people are too stubborn to change. And it’s unfortunate, especially for those closest to them. Are you willing to change, to be more like Christ? You’ll be happier, and so will the people who love you most!

God created you with weakness, both mentally and physically, and a proper amount of rest is vital in a world that tries to suck you dry. Even Jesus took the time to rest. In Scripture, rest is not a suggestion. It’s a command. The down time will enable you to see things clearly and perform at your best.

TOMORROW - Are You Ready for It? The thought of tomorrow can be scary. And it doesn’t seem to be getting any better, right? But as Christians, we trust in our Savior, Jesus. God didn’t create your life for, “easy”, but to be a good witness. And you’re at your best when times are tough, but you’re full of God’s grace.

“What good is unanswered prayer?” Much in every way, but the flesh never likes waiting. Could it be that the benefits of today’s waiting are far greater than tomorrow’s answered prayer?

What do you allow to influence your life? We all choose something. And whatever we choose could be the difference between life or death; happiness or sorrow for us and all those we love.

Voices are everywhere! And they’re all wanting your attention. But there’s one voice that overrides them all- the voice that whispers; the voice that won’t compete with the others. It’s the only voice that really matters.

Everyone makes mistakes; says something he shouldn’t or in anger, reacts and later regrets it. And everyone who calls himself a Christian practices forgiveness. We offer second chances, value the relationship, release wrongdoers and mimic our Savior.

Courage is exercised when you alone stand against a formidable enemy. The responsibility is solely on you, and the success or failure of all you hold dear rest on your decision. How do you make the right one?

Parenting isn’t easy, especially in today’s world. Dangers lurk everywhere, and children are most vulnerable. What are parents to do as they release their children into a precarious world?

“If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32 Truth- Most people want it, but in a world where evil is promoted as good, and good as evil, whole cultures can exist upside-down and not know it. How can we know truth from error? Jesus said, “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.”

“I AM the Good Shepherd, and I know My sheep… and they hear My voice, and they follow Me.” John 10:14 & 27 We are born knowing nothing about our purpose, and why we were put on this planet. But we are born to know something far greater- OUR CREATOR! By the knowledge of Jesus, we are assured to be lead through life by the Good Shepherd.

“Bright eyes and good news make the bones healthy.” ENCOURAGEMENT: Everyone Needs it Proverbs 15:30 We all need encouragement. In a toxic world full of bad news, anger and painful demands, those who encourage us are sought out. As Christians we offer the good news to empty souls, who just might choose the local church over the local bar.

Stillness. It’s everywhere and available. Even in your busiest downtown areas, stillness can be found on rooftops, basements and back rooms. Nature defaults to it- lakes, night skies, forests and snow-filled valleys, all reflect it. The human soul is attracted to it, and the voice of God whispers in it. Isn’t it time you had some?

PAIN: The Great Teacher Everyone suffers pain. We’re conditioned to avoid it, run from it; build walls to keep it out. But God uses it to break, shape and motivate us, right? In fact, pain is one of God’s greatest teachers. Here’s a living example of what I mean.

Like a Disneyland ride, life is adventurous and a little bit scary! But in spite of the twists, turns and dark corridors, we seem to get through it as we hang onto Jesus. What sort of ride are you on now?

Hope is like air to a drowning man - he’ll do anything to get it. But for many, hope is in short supply, and they’re drowning in a deep-watery abyss. But God reaches low to restore hope.

All “godly” dads are good dads, but not all “good” dads are godly. What’s the difference? This Father’s Day, let’s strive to be both!