The Pastor’s Pen

Two thirds through his first letter, having just given instructions for healthy marriages, the apostle Peter writes a relationship summary packed with helpful values and ideas for families of all types. Regardless of who the body of people are, these principles will benefit those who practice them. But the greatest potential for blessing rests with…

In Psalm 30:8-12, David writes of a short-term privilege belonging to God’s people. It’s not thought of often and spoken of even less. A privilege, that once passed, will never occur again. I speak of praising God while in this sin-cursed world. David writes: To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I…

Part of everyday life, is rubbing shoulders with people who have faults. Obviously, this includes all of us. Faults can range from inconsequential irritations to sinful actions that damage. Ironically, far too often we respond to other’s faults in a back-to-front manner, where irritations receive a beating and sin is overlooked. Conversely, there’s the legalistic…

While expectations can build excitement and anticipation, they have the potential to morph into unrealistic demands and disappointment. Understanding this can help Christians deal with the rate at which they move from the pre-Christian life to the new life. For some, the transition from old to new life is quick and comfortable. For others it’s…

At some point in our lives, most of us will have needed someone to speak on our behalf. Be it as a defenceless child, an unwell adult, an accident victim, or being accused of something, we need an advocate. In those times of vulnerability, being unable to say or do what’s needed to assist or…

In the apostle Peter’s closing doxology of his second letter, he reminds us of a necessary pattern of Christian life that is easily forgotten. Peter personally knew the power of Jesus’ saving grace that patiently persevered through his life. For Peter, grace was never a ‘one shot for life’ deal. No, he knew that just…

Two thirds through his letter to the church of Galatia,  apostle Paul reminds believers of the circumstances through which he first met them. Now, years later, Paul writes; I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel (Galatians 1:6).…

Old Testament Moses was no better than anyone else, yet Yahweh desired intimacy in their relationship which Moses didn’t qualify for. As is always the case, the Lord’s loving kindness overrode Moses’ disqualification, and God interacted with Moses in the most spectacular ways. Sinful Moses could not reveal anything about himself to God that God…

It goes without saying, that for most of us, there is nothing on this earth more precious than the people we love. And within that group of people, there exists those we love above all others, and we rightly refer to them as our “beloved.” So it is with God. Although God loves the world…

Unaided by the Holy Spirit, the world cannot grasp the eternal significance of knowing Almighty God through His Son Jesus Christ. It seems such an absurd notion to them, mortals in a relationship with the invisible Creator God. Surely, the world would argue, to claim a real relationship with a God who lives separate from…