Restoring Creation Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayToday we look at the second of our Core Values at Grace, one upon which the future of the planet depends. The original summary of this value reads: Restoring Creation God who is Creator of all wishes us to care for the web of creation that sustains life. We trust the broad consensus of climate […] Read More
Opening up God’s Grace For ALL Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayThe next six weeks I will explore the Core Values of Grace Lutheran. The summary I wrote two years ago went like this: “God’s grace extends to all people without exception. As a community of faith claimed by Jesus, we ask how to live in this world that God so boundlessly loves. We welcome all […] Read More
Our G-R-A-C-E-S Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayDuring the next six blog entrees, I wish to unpack a bit further each of the Core Values that Grace identified as key to who we are. They are available elsewhere on our website, but I will remind you of them here. Then as the weeks unfold, I will explore each and the particular challenges […] Read More
Seven Things I Believe Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayAs one year becomes another, I find myself taking stock of the things that matter most to me. Here I share seven things I care about from my faith, hoping that it will invite you to do the same inventory of your beliefs. 1) What I know about God I have learned by paying attention […] Read More
When Getting It Wrong Means Getting It Right Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayPastor Phil’s Christmas sermon A common theme when authors or script writers take on the theme of Christmas is how in a season where the expectations for things going right are incredibly high, nonetheless things go incredibly wrong. This is especially true when the manger scene is reenacted in a worship setting. In the novel, […] Read More
Shoveling Through Injustice! Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayI shovel one night and the ground is once again covered with snow the next morning. What is the point? It feels like it doesn’t make a difference. Of course, we know that it does. Maybe you have that neighbor who doesn’t bother to shovel. And so snow and ice build, and build, and build […] Read More
Fun Faithfulness Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayMany times in life doing the right thing is painful. But this weekend, Grace had a couple of faithful activities that truly felt fun! We joined with the Scouts and the city in hosting a warming house during the evening of the Clearwater parade. Hundreds of kids and their families came inside the church to […] Read More
Advent on the Internet Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayAdvent Options We live in a world of possibilities that allows us to hear voices far and wide as they seek to articulate the hope that is in them. The internet allows you to find resources that will expand your world this advent season. Here are a tiny smattering of the options available. Our synod […] Read More
Kathy’s Example Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayLast week at the funeral for Kathy Pahl I was moved at what her granddaughters said about her. Their words were punctuated in turn with tears and smiles and then more tears. “She saw and loved us all. But just as importantly she saw and loved each one of us for who we are.” I […] Read More
Writing Wrongs: My favorite student typos Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the DayBefore coming to Grace I was a college professor for almost twenty years. As former colleagues are watching papers to grade stack up, I’m recalling how students could make me laugh with errors they slipped into their writing. So it is time to entertain you with their unwitting wit and wisdom. I will quote them […] Read More