God

God Sightings

/ The Pastor / Leave a comment

[This article was orginally published in the Winnebago County Tribune, March 24, 2026. Some content has been expanded since I have more space here.]

I am writing this article while on our 7th and 8th grade Destination D.C. trip. I am using this time as a devotional exercise as I pay close attention to God sightings this week. I hope you enjoy these and glorify God with me.

Day 1 – Saturday/Sunday: Mayah and I had to be at the school by 11:40 PM (Saturday) to prepare for a 12:30 AM (Sunday) departure. We were supposed to leave at 2:30 AM (Sunday) but an impending blizzard warning changed our plans. Many prayers were prayed by many people. We were able to get out of Iowa ahead of the dangerous winter storm and enjoy our itinerary items for the day. Thank You, God, for the safe travels.

Day 2 – Monday: We were at the Gettysburg National Cemetery. While there, our tour guide asked us to look at the tomb stones and find one that speaks to us and then thank them. I walked along the rows but I could not find one, but rather I saw each and every one and thus thanked them all as they all sacrificed for this country. Thank You, God, for those who have and currently serve our country.

Day 3 – Tuesday: This God sighting was nearly literal. I was getting situated on the bus after touring the Lincoln Memorial when Olivia, an 8th grader, showed me a “little Jesus” figurine that hit her in the head. Apparently, someone was throwing them out at the memorial. She thought that was so cool. Tessa, my seat mate, then proceeded to tell me how she likes to hand those out. Later that night, I told Malachi that story before bed and he said, “When I go on my D.C. trip, I am going to throw out little Jesus’”. I wish I had thought of that idea. Maybe I will join him in that activity. Thank You, God, for reminders of Jesus in my life.

Day 4 – Wednesday: So many moving parts today and so many opportunities for something to go wrong to affect our plans: Seventy plus people on their own for three hours in Washington D.C. and then regrouping – on time, heavy traffic littered with accidents slowing our travels, leading all these kids as we walked city streets to get to the White House. But everything went smooth as God blessed our details. Thank You, God, for calming the waters and giving us smooth sailing.

Day 5 – Thursday: Today we toured the Capitol, went to Arlington National Cemetery and watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and then visited the Iwo Jima Memorial. I was reminded today that even though we may have issues in this nation, God has blessed us with a great nation in which to live. Let us work together to be an example for other nations. Thank You, God, for the United States of America.

Day 6 – Friday: Mayah and I had to fly home early. Six minutes before boarding we found out we were being bumped from our flight because they overbooked the plane by eight people. Frustrated, angry, worried, etc, I could not see past my situation. After boarding was complete, apparently someone did not show, so Mayah and I were the first ones allowed back on, but not just on, we got upgraded to first class. God, now You are just showing off. What an awesome God You are.

What a fun week. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. Amen.

Who, Not What

/ The Pastor / Leave a comment

The following is my most recent article for the Winnebago County Tribune. To God be all glory!

When you look at a person, what do you see? Before you answer that, do you see the problem with that first sentence? No? Well, you are not alone, and that right there is the issue. Many, when they see a person, they see a “what” and not a “who”. Meaning, they see a white person or a black person. They see a Republican or a Democrat. They see an American or an “illegal”. And when you see a person as a “what”, a stereotyped category, they become something less than human. And when someone is less than human, then all bets are off. You can justify behavior that you would never allow towards someone you consider a “who”, a person with a face, name, family, and story. A “who”, and not a cute little person from a Dr Suess story, have feelings, hopes, and dreams. They are people you love and for whom you care. But our culture has become conditioned to using categories and thus has become blind to who people really are.


You do not need me to tell you that there is a lot of tension in this country, “what’s” fighting other “what’s”. There are loving “who’s” living in fear because someone has categorized them, or someone they love, as a “what”, and it should not be this way. I am not living in fear for myself, but I am living in fear for others, “who’s” who are nothing more than a faceless “what” to others. We saw this in spades during the civil rights movement, but things are different now, and in some ways, worse. Something has to change.


When God created man and woman, he created special people in His own image. But since the entrance of sin into the world, this beautiful handiwork, you and me, has become marred. We have become power hungry, selfish, and blind, and have lost sight of our awesome God and fellow human being. What is that “something” that has to change? First, it is redemption which has come through faith in Jesus Christ, and thus a restored creation someday. In the meantime, we need to put on some new glasses that see people as a “who” and not a “what”. See faces, stories, families, children, and imperfect people just trusting to make their way in this complicated world. Stop seeing categories that need to be put in their place and see people who need a place in your heart. Let us live as a community of “who’s” who dispel labels and thus do away with all the “what’s”. You are not a “what” with God rather you are a special “who”. Let us live in a godly way and not in a “what” way.

Creation Concert

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

Birds singing, in a cheerful creation choir.
Wind blowing, to cool a sun-kissed face.
Leaves rustling, dancing with the music.
Grass twinkling, with a dew-covered applause.

And…

People moving, going to and fro in busyness.

Do they hear?
I mean, do they really hear?
I used to be in that busyness,
But now I sit among the creation choir.
I sit and hear,
I mean, I really hear.
I sit and notice,
I mean, really notice.
I sit and feel,
I mean, I really feel.

Stop your busyness, people. Stop!
You’re missing the concert,
Creation singing to the Lord.

Birds, wind, leaves and grass…
Encore! Encore!

Anchor

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

The following is my article for the Buffalo Center Tribune. To God be the glory!

In reading Hebrews chapter 6 in our Facebook Bible reading group, I stumbled upon and stopped in this phrase nestled into verse 19, “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul…”. The “this” being referred to is the hope that is set before us, a hope guaranteed by God through an oath. But what specifically is the hope and why does it need to be guaranteed by an oath made by God? Those are excellent questions. I am so glad you asked. Allow me to continue with an illustration:


Let’s assume that you are in search of a candy bar because you really, really like candy bars. And then one day I approached you on main street and said, “I am going to give you a candy bar tomorrow.” Now let’s assume that the candy bar in question is your absolute favorite and I am the only one who has any. Let’s also assume you are not weirded out by my offer. Now, would you need me to guarantee my statement with, let’s say, an “oath signed in blood”? Probably not because we are only talking about a candy bar, your favorite or not. If I did not follow through, you might be a little disappointed, but you would probably get over it quickly, and go one looking for a different candy bar.


Okay Pastor how does this relate to those nicely nestled words in Hebrews 6?
Just hang on, I am getting there.


Now, let us consider this scenario. You are dying and are desperate for a cure. You find that cure, but the price is too steep. Somebody must pay and you know that you cannot. Now, this person who has the cure says to you, “I will give you the cure tomorrow. No strings attached, a free gift. You just need to trust me” This is definitely no candy bar so would you need more than just this statement? Remember, you are dying, and this cure is your only hope and you do not know when you will die. I think I would need a guarantee.


Here’s the real situation, YOU are the person who is dying and the cure is Jesus. The sure and steadfast anchor for your soul, an oath signed with blood, is Jesus’ death on the cross and the fact that he rose from the dead – FOR YOU. This resurrection means that your sins have been forgiven and thus you will no longer die. You just need to trust him. Yes, you will die one day, but that is only the doorway to God’s mansion where death has been obliterated.


You do not need to look for another cure for what ails you in this life. And, you do not need to wait until tomorrow. The cure is yours NOW. Many will offer you options, but only God guarantees His cure and signs His oath in blood, the blood of Jesus. Forget the candy bars of this world. Stop your searching. Trust Jesus. It is all about Jesus, Amen.

Opening Prayer ~ Power and Authority

/ The Pastor

Holy God,
all authority and power resides with You
for You are power and authority;
sovereign over all creation.
You are mighty and merciful,
full of grace and truth.
You are the very breath we breathe.
You are our life.
No heart beat goes by without Your knowledge and guiding hand,
and what a wonderful place to be –
in Your hands.
We do not have enough words or the capacity to glorify You as You deserve,
so we ask
that Your Spirit may intercede for us
and through us
so that Your praises ring loud and clear.
To You be all glory, honor, praise, worship and thanksgiving, through Christ Jesus our Lord,
Amen.

The Sound

/ The Pastor

Sitting in the silence,
with only a trickle of light,
teasing the darkness.
A cup filled with liquid pleasure
warming my hands.
Listening.
The silence is loud,
yet,
small, insignificant sounds distract me,
pulling me away from the moment,
the Sound.
I must silence the sounds –
wading through the clutter –
and return to the Sound,
the Voice,
the One.

Okay

/ The Pastor

My God hears me when I pray,
each and every day.
He hears me when I cry,
til the day I die.
He knows my very heart,
and yet He’ll not depart.
He knows my every sin,
the darkness there within.
He’s ready to forgive,
through Jesus I will live.
He’s ready to remake;
my heart He’ll not forsake.
So hear me when I say,
with Jesus you’re okay.

Glory in the Cross

/ The Pastor

Oh, in the cross of Christ I glory,
For it tells my salvation story.
A sinner,
dead,
lost,
and condemned;
floundering,
here and there,
and going nowhere.
Seeking pleasure,
worth,
all here on earth.
Striving after wind,
and Breath,
and gaining only death.
But on the cross my Savior died,
taking all my sin,
this life,
my strife.
Then Jesus rose from death for me,
taking all my self,
my soul
now whole.
And now I live, I mean, really live,
a life unending,
all transcending.
For, now its Jesus,
only Jesus,
now and forever,
He will never sever.
And so I’ll glory in the cross of Christ.
Oh Jesus my Lord,
it’s you I adore.

Raise Your Hands

/ The Pastor

Raise your hands to the Lord,
and all that is in you.
Raise your hands to the Lord,
for He is faithful and true.
He has redeemed your life from the pit.
He has saved you from death.
The Lord is mighty to save.
So praise Him with your every breath.
In Jesus you have a new family.
In Jesus you are not cast away.
In Jesus all hope is secure.
So raise your praise on this day.
Why wait? Why wait, to praise the Lord?
For He is worthy of praise now.
Look into His Word and know,
I promise that you will say “Wow!”
Raise you hands to the Lord,
and all that is in you.
Raise your hands to the Lord,
For all praise to Him is definitely due.

Without Ceasing

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Holy God,
my prayer rises to You in the morning,
and at the noontide.
My prayer rises to you in the evening,
and as my eyes close to hide.
I can come to You in any moment.
though I am thoroughly unclean.
I need to come you in Jesus,
for my sin is not unseen.

You have commanded me to pray without ceasing,
You have commanded me to run to You.
You have commanded me raise my petitions.
All glory to you is due.

And You command me so because,
well,
You love me.
You want fellowship with me.
You want me to draw closer to You.
You desire me – a sinner.

Through Jesus I am forgiven.
Through Jesus I am Yours.
Through Jesus I have hope.
Through Jesus Your love ensures.

Father Almighty and Holy God,
draw me closer for I want more of
You.
In Jesus holy and awesome name I pray –
continually,
Amen.