Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

Sometimes life gets so busy that something has to go. I feel crazy busy right now. Overwhelmed. So this week I’m letting go of writing a normal length blog. Don’t worry. You’ll survive. How are you doing? Do you need to let go of something to make life more sane? Take a moment and figure […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

When people think about the bible, too many assume it is a rulebook given by God to make us behave. Vast swaths of Christians hold to this view. Many who do not embrace Christianity also assume this perspective. Some of those people reject Christianity precisely because they have seen Christians use the bible as a […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

As we approach All Saints, a day during which the church remembers our loved ones who have died, I invite you to think of the people who have shaped you. Today’s blog is intentionally short, because I want you to use your time to remember the people who have made you who you are. Who […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

It is interesting how having a particular focus in front of you can change the way you see other things. This past week I did a funeral for a man who restored classic cars. He had a sweet Studebaker he would drive around to car shows. He spent a lot of time looking at cars, […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

This coming Sunday we will listen to an odd story from the first book of the Bible (Genesis 33:22-31). A man named Jacob has an experience with God that changes him forever. What brought the man named Jacob to that place? A good hint comes in his name. Jacob’s name means “the Cheater”. For the […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

Long ago my mother-in-law’s friend Sandy helped her settle into her new and difficult role as mother. This friend would come over and walk the floors in the midnight hours with that crying baby. She also dried the tears of this new mother who felt that her inability to calm her infant’s tears was proof […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

When one of us whom God has brought into existence connects meaningfully and compassionately with another, God is glorified. I see this happening with great frequency around me. A cancer survivor prays with a hospital-robed friend immediately before he goes into surgery. A writer whose computer was stolen is quickly surround by friends and acquaintances […]

Pastor Phil's Thoughts for the Day

Luke tells a story about to followers of Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-25). The story takes place on the day of the resurrection, continuing the story of certain women and their encounter with Jesus. Those women, Mary, Mary, and Joanna, ran excitedly to the other followers of Jesus to announce that […]