The Pastor's Perspective

     Charlie Kirk 1993-2025   The news of Charlie Kirk's death was a sudden and profound shock to me as I opened up my Facebook app on my phone Wednesday afternoon. I saw as many others did, the immediate aftermath, social media feeds were flooded with posts, videos, and news reports. While many of these were well-intentioned I am sure, it was hard to shake the feeling that a race was on—a race to be the first to report, to get the most views, to be heard. A race that felt rushed. It felt like a rush to capitalize on a tragedy before we had even taken a moment to sit in the stillness of grief.       We seem to have lost the capacity to pause. I noticed this in many other tragic events like this, yet it seems like it is getting worse. In a world that demands instant reactions, there's little room for quiet sorrow anymore. I believe it's a disservice to the memory of a person and, more importantly, to the family left behind. Before we share, before...

Casey Diaz, Author of "The Shot Caller"       If you met Casey Diaz today, you would never have guess where he came from. He's a man with a powerful story of transformation and how God can work in someone's life. Growing up, Casey started hanging around the wrong crowd and eventually joined a violent gang. His life was filled with violence and crime, a path that led to his incarceration for murder. His life was out of control and it seemed like there was no one who would be able to help turn it around. Many thought Casey Diaz was a lost cause, beyond hope.       Surprisingly it was in prison that Casey's life would have a turn around. It was there that Casey heard about Jesus and made the decision to accept Him as his Lord and Savior. That decision was not about getting a good report before the parole board, or doing what everyone was wanting him to do. For Casey it was about totally surrendering his life to God and becoming a follower of Jesus Ch...

      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...

       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...

  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...

            I have always been artsy, and I love to draw and watch programs about drawing and art. Growing up, one show always captivated me: "The Joy of Painting" with Bob Ross. With his gentle voice and signature afro, Bob would transform a blank canvas into breathtaking landscapes, complete with "happy little trees" and "friendly little clouds." What truly mesmerized me was his ability to take what looked like a blob of paint, or what seemed like an accidental smudge, and turn it into a majestic mountain or a shimmering lake. When he started off you might have thought "well he done ruined it" then by the end you were left mesmerized. He'd often say, with a reassuring smile, "There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents."      Don't we often feel like we've made a mess of things in our own lives? In 45 years of living here on this earth I will be the first one to say that I have had my fair share of  mistakes. There ...

       We've all witnessed it. The campaign speeches filled with bold pronouncements, the unwavering commitments made with conviction. Yet, as the dust settles and the realities of governance take hold, those promises often seem to evaporate like morning mist, don't they. It sometimes leaves you wondering "Hey have you forgot about what you said just a few months ago?"        We hear explanations, justifications about "evolving circumstances," and needing to reach across the isle. Sometimes we hear things about how they don't have enough votes anyway. Or a thousand other reasons why they can't do the very things that they promised they would do. It can leave us all feeling a bit used, and frustrated.        Machiavelli, once said "the promise given was a necessity of the past; the word broken is the necessity of the present," that sadly seems to echo in the halls of capital hill today. We've become accustomed to a cer...