Posts by Pastor Shawn (Page 3)

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. But he put his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m the first and the last, 18 and the living one. (Revelation Chap 1, CEB) On Sunday mornings for our youth discipleship class we’ve begun a deep dive into the book of Revelation. This is indeed a challenging endeavor, but it is something our students were requesting and have an innate curiosity about. We are…

And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11, CEB) This Sunday is Palm Sunday, which also marks the beginning of Holy Week. As I reflect on this passage from Matthew which describes the triumphal entry, the phrase that jumps out to me is, “Who is this?” In so many ways this question captures the whole progression of the gospel…

Be still before the Lord, and wait for him. (Psalm 37:7 CEB) As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, I want to take a moment to highlight the Sacred Invitation devotional many of us have started engaging through this season. Last I checked there were still a few paper copies available for pickup at the church. The devotional can also be purchased as an e-book through Amazon (the paper copies have sold out online).    Click here…

8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:8-10) On Sundays, both in the worship service and in the…

Comfort the discouraged. Help the weak. Be patient with everyone… Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:14b, 16-18) As we close out what will be a year that most of us will never forget, I have felt the Spirit challenging me to evaluate all the reasons we have to be hopeful about the coming new year. Here in this passage, as the Apostle Paul moves…

34 “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. 35 This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” (John 13:34-35 CEB) John Wesley was a pastor and theologian who lived in the 1700s. Many affirm that the Church of the Nazarene grew out of the evangelistic movement originally started by Wesley. In Wesley’s teachings, he often emphasized the idea of…

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” (Colossian 3:12-14 from the Message) In the midst of this election week, with votes still…

8 He will swallow up death forever. The LORD God will wipe tears from every face; he will remove his people’s disgrace from off the whole earth, for the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 25:8 CEB) This passage comes from the Old Testament Lectionary reading for this week. During the tumultuous days we find ourselves in, this verse stands as a good reminder of God’s role and promises in the big picture. First God “will swallow up death forever.” Modern culture…

And everyone, clothe yourselves with humility toward each other. God stands against the proud, but he gives favor to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5b) As I encountered this passage this week, the phrase “God stands against the proud” jumped out at me. I had heard this idea from scripture before. Similar ideas can be found in James 4:6 and Proverbs 3:34. Although a familiar sentiment, this idea seemed jolting this week. It almost seems like the opposite of God’s character…

16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray continually. 18 Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) This passage, and many other scriptures, call the believer to always be in a frame of mind which leads us to praise God. The problem is that we don’t always feel like praise is on our lips, especially when things don’t go the way we expect. Many of you know that the pastoral team lost a friend last…

      I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.       Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:13-14) The path I take to the church from my house passes the community roller-skating rink. I noticed a couple of weeks back they changed their reader board to simply say #STILLWAITING. There’s a lot wrapped up in that hash tag, but it has…

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22–24 (NRSV)   There’s an old chorus that is running through my head as I type this, the song lyrics are these verses from Lamentations 3 set to music. The refrain begins, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.” In…