The Church of the Palms has a mission statement: Sharing God’s Unconditional Love, Justice, and Extravagant Welcome. That statement is more than a policy statement; it speaks of our core values and desires. Plus, it gives us direction when the Spirit blows forcing us to adjust our sails. So, what is your mission? I suspect… Continue reading So, what is your mission?
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
Time Capsule Moments
This past week I officiated at a wedding – what a joy it was! Family and friends gathered and told stories, laughed, and cried tears of happiness. It was one of those time capsules within life – a moment where time seems to stand still, and we can escape the ordinary and see the spectacular… Continue reading Time Capsule Moments
If you can no longer march, what can you do?
It’s that time of the year when things start to get busy at The Palms. Our winter friends are returning, meetings and classes are happening with greater frequency, and our social justice ministry, which never takes a day off, is expanding! We are busy being the church, the palms of Jesus. Thanks be to God! To… Continue reading If you can no longer march, what can you do?
What is abundant life?
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”John 10:10 What is abundant life? Society and people of faith differ on the answers to that question. While I cannot always comprehend exactly what abundant life is, I do see glimpses of it when I: Sing favorite hymns as loud as I can; Taste… Continue reading What is abundant life?
My top 10 Mister Rogers quotes
Fred Rogers, aka, Mr. Rogers, is a hero of mine. I often turn to his wisdom – two books dedicated to his thoughts sit on my desk. Here are ten of my favorite quotes. 10. “Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive… Continue reading My top 10 Mister Rogers quotes
When is a quart not a quart and a pound not a pound?
When is a quart not a quart and a pound not a pound? If you check your local grocery store, you’ll find plenty of examples. What I’m relaying is a recent conversation noting that the sizes of many of the things we’re accustomed to buying are smaller than they used to be. What used to… Continue reading When is a quart not a quart and a pound not a pound?
You have a very important title
Titles are important to many folks. Now some people here call me “Paul”; most say “Pastor Paul.” I guess because I have a title, I know any fool can get one, so I’m not too hung up on that. There are occasions that I put on the clerical collar and bring out The Most Holy… Continue reading You have a very important title
What’s in your spiritual emergency kit?
One evening last week as it was getting dark at my house, the electricity went out. We checked our breaker box and determined it was a neighborhood outage. APS was notified. It was about 103° outside at that time. I checked on our neighbors, who are blind; the lights going out didn’t bother them like… Continue reading What’s in your spiritual emergency kit?
Changing a Noun to a Verb
As I mentioned in my sermon last week, my favorite NT character is Barnabas. And, although my wife, who has taught English for her whole career, would tell us that “Barnabas” is a noun, I want to change that language rule. I want to change Barnabas into an action – a verb! The name Barnabas means,… Continue reading Changing a Noun to a Verb
HOME
My work is with words. I can’t get three months of writing in during this letter, but I do have a word for you. HOME. It isn’t a perfect word having been marred by those who abuse and manipulate. But through God’s grace, I believe it can be raised to a new level of being.… Continue reading HOME