Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

I’ve often noticed that the first thing that has to happen for worship to occur is that the people gather. If people do not show up, then how can we turn to one another in welcome? How can we listen to what God is saying to us? How can we hold God’s offering of Godself […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

I have a friend who had contact with someone who had contact with someone who now has been diagnosed with the coronavirus. He has been watching and waiting to see if anything has developed. “Nothing yet?” “Nothing yet!” “Well, great, then the two weeks have passed!” “No, Phil. It has barely been a week.”   […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

Questioning our knowledge of the One who is Mystery If I was overlooking the Chippewa River and an impressive wind blew me off balance, I could not capture that wind in a box in order to show its power to the kids gathered at our children’s sermon. Wind in a box is no longer wind. […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

People of faith ask new questions in every age. We ask questions about the faith because we encounter issues in life that the faith-filled people of yesterday never faced. Think of all the new possibilities and challenges which you witness that your grandparents never knew. My own grandparents grew up in a world that did […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

When a former professor turns to write about life long learning in the Christian faith, he might could go on for several blog posts. That is what I’m about to do. (Much of this entry is a revision of a chapter I wrote called “Faith Asking Questions” in The TLU Reader.) Many people assume that […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

Children and Youth Loved Jesus welcomed children, declaring that God’s kingdom comes to such as these. We love the children and youth who come among us as family, even as we enjoy our extended biological family members. We support organizations that help in the development and growth of young people who hold a special place […]