The Pastor's Perspective

            As w e navigate this world it does not take long before you realize that the world is teeming with hurting people . Look around, and you’ll find individuals silently battling unseen struggles.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted this stark reality in a 2010 report, noting that deaths by suicide surpassed those from car accidents . The numbers have only risen, especially in the wake of global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic . As sad as these statistics is, I believe it highlights a  sobering truth: many are enduring profound difficulties in their lives .      Sometimes, we fail to recognize the depth of pain hidden behind a smile .  When we face arduous times, it's common to feel utterly alone, as if no one else has ever experienced such a unique struggle . This is due in part to the mask that we all wear. Very few people are willing to open up to express the struggles and the...

      Have you ever had a  moment when something pushes your buttons, and you feel your blood begin to boil . Perhaps you’ve said something in a fit of rage you immediately regretted, or acted in a way you wished you could take back . Personally I think we have all had moments like that to one degree or another. Truth is a nger is a powerful, very real human emotion that we all encounter from time to time.      It might surprise you to learn that anger is an emotion attributed to both God and Jesus throughout scripture.   The Bible speaks of God's wrath and we read of moments where Jesus Himself expressed His anger .       However, there's a crucial distinction between righteous anger and what we  might call "unbridled anger" . As Aristotle wisely put it, "Anyone can become angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way—that is ...

     Idol worship  When you hear the word "idol," what comes to your mind? I think for most people when we hear the word idol we think of ancient statues in faraway lands, or rituals from a bygone era.  Certainly there are places in the world today that have statues that people worship. Even in America there are people who's religion involves offering sacrifices or offerings to some sort of sculpted image.     However for many of us especially in the Western societies when we hear the word Idol we  often think, "That's not me. I don't bow down to carved images."  The average person in the United States does not have shrine where they offers prayers towards a wooden object. So many times when we hear the word Idol we are quickly dismissive and think this has nothing to with me.      But what if I told you that idolatry is far more subtle, and far more pervasive, than we often imagine? What if I told you that some idols are not a...

       Have you ever started something with great enthusiasm, only to see your resolve waver when challenges arose? Whether it's a new fitness routine, a creative project, a relationship, or a personal goal, commitment is often the secret ingredient that determines success or stagnation. It’s the difference between a fleeting interest and lasting transformation.      In a world brimming with distractions and instant gratification, true commitment can feel like a rare commodity these days. We often find ourselves in what we might call "The Path of a Lack of Commitment" – a place where good intentions give way to excuses, where promises become forgotten whispers, and where our potential remains untapped.     This is a road we see others take time and time again. From our co-workers who choose to call in time and again. To our children not doing their chores or their homework. To seeing young people dropping out of school. To the people we see w...

       Ever felt like you're running on a treadmill, expending massive energy but getting nowhere? That feeling, that heavy weight in your chest, the constant irritation simmering just below the surface – that's the path of frustration. It's a path many of us find ourselves on, sometimes without even realizing how we got there. It can show up in countless ways: At work: That project that keeps getting delayed, the colleague who never pulls their own weight, the endless stream of emails, dead lines that seem to be missed, expectations that can never be meet. At home: The never-ending chores, the miscommunication with a loved one, the feeling of being overwhelmed by responsibilities. Things constantly breaking down, and bills that never seem to get paid.  In life generally: Traffic jams, slow internet, unexpected expenses, or even just feeling misunderstood.      Frustration is a powerful emotion, and if left unchecked, it can lead to bitterness,...

      Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a loop of frustration? The coffee’s cold, traffic’s bad, your to-do list is endless, and suddenly, every little annoyance adds up until you’re just… grumbling. You find yourself frustrated at the current situation and every chance you get you share your frustration to anyone who will listen. You form your own little pity party and everyone is invited.        Complaining can feel like a harmless vent, but it can also be a slippery slope. Before you know it, you’re not just expressing a temporary frustration; you’re living on the "Path of Complaining," a journey paved with despair, disappointment, and doubt. Perhaps you know someone who has been on that path for some time. Every time your around them they always have something to complain about. You begin to think "Man is there anything that makes you happy?" They seem to point out things that they disagree with, things that are not just right. It's a p...

   A missionary Group in China (not referenced in this blog)        Have you ever found yourself in a situation that felt utterly impossible? A problem too big, a need too great, a challenge that seemed to mock your every effort? It's in these moments that we need to be reminded of a profound truth: the God we serve is a God of power, and He is a God who answers prayer.     There was a  missionary team, small in number, facing an overwhelming obstacle on an island off the coast of China. The islanders were fiercely devoted to an idol named Ta-wang, convinced of its power because their annual parade, held in its honor, always brought perfect weather. It was their undeniable "proof" that their god was real and powerful. This caused them to be very resistant to these missionaries and there message. Many of them refused to even hear about Jesus Christ, because of their devotion to Ta-wang.       A young, sixteen-year-old boy ...

       Frodo and Sam Looking at Mt. Doom      If you have ever read the Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkien or watched the movies. You know about the story of Frodo and his dangerous trek through Morder. Just as Frodo faced the soul-crushing despair of Cirith Ungol, the betrayal of Gríma Wormtongue, or the sheer terror of Shelob's lair, we too encounter our own versions of these trials—moments of profound despair, unexpected betrayals, or overwhelming obstacles that threaten to consume us whole, testing the very limits of our endurance.       I think it is safe to say that we’ve all experinced a trial or two in our lives. It’s easy in those moments to wonder, “Why me? Why this hardship?”  We begin to look around and see what seems to us to be people living there best life and we are struggling. And often, the immediate conclusion to all of this is we say that the enemy is at work, unleashing every possible trouble our way. ...

  Mister Rogers Neighborhood     This maybe surprising to you but e ven the kindest  of souls face opposition. If your like me you grew up watching Mr. Rogers neighborhood. It was one of the most beloved children's TV shows. His kind soft spoken demeanor was captivating. It was a great show that many kids enjoyed watching growing up. It was a program that taught children about the world around them, and emphasized the importance of treating others with respect and understanding. Sounds good right, I mean who could have a problem with a guy like that?      Well you will be surprised to hear that a  news outlet once called him an "Evil, Evil Man." It sounds absurd, doesn't it? That's right the soft spoken and kind Mr. Rogers was according to this news agency was an "Evil, Evil  Man". Yet, it highlights a stark reality: even those who live to uplift and inspire can find themselves unfairly targeted, accused, or misunderstood.     I thi...