Pastors Pen
Connect to God, Grow as Disciples, Serve with Our Lives
“Do Us A Favour…”
In the beginning of the film, Evan Almighty, Evan Baxter, a reporter turned U.S. Congressman, is confronted by a series of troubles stemming from his begrudging agreement to serve God by building an Ark on his property. Evan faces numerous stresses and strains,...
“Believers, too, are Voters”
On April 1st, 2025, Wisconsin voters went to the polls for a State Supreme Court election, and voted by 55 to 45% to keep the judicial status quo— that being, a progressive majority on the State’s highest court. It was, according to statistics published since,...
“Powerful Life Lessons in Popular Culture”
Do you recall that significant moment when, in the Peter Jackson finale ofJ.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Frodo fails to throw the Ring of Powerinto the lava flows of Mount Doom, and instead takes it for himself?Viewers seemed to linger almost torturously on that...
“A Case Study in Open-Eyed Justice” 02-08-2024
[Image: Virginia City Justice Statue: Glen Franco Simmons] On the second floor above the main doors of the Courthouse in Virginia City, Nevada, stands a rather unusual statue. While not utterly unique, according to some sources, the figure is one of only about 20...
Observation on Grace and Cancellation
(Image credit: Alamy) The recent experiences of Bay Community Church— with a local newspaper speculating about church “hatred” in its headline, and then assuming its speculation is factual by the time the article was half-way through— is a curious indication of the...
“Unreasonable Reasonable Limits”
Christians often grapple with the degree to which they should be invested in the general culture and political climate. As near as I can determine, no Biblical formula exists. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit, and prayerfully move as He directs. In point of...
Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time, there was a Fortune 500 CEO who fell in love with a beautiful company intern. An honourable and handsome man, he had never married because of the ever-increasing demands of the business that he had helped grow since its inception. His employees now...
Word Over Whim
An honest tracing of political evolution through Western history tends to implicate the Bible more than the average citizen realizes. The idea of a national covenant, which informed British constitutionalism, for instance, is a Biblical concept. Even in a more...
“Look Upon and Live”
The early disciples wanted to see the Father; they failed to recognize that the incarnate Son is a true (and much safer!) reflection of the eternal God.
“Inevitable!”
Among all the other oxymorons we know, there is this one called "partial fulfillment". And yet, given what we know of the character of God, because Jesus' resurrection is called the "first fruits", it also means that the rest of the crop is assured. The resurrection...
“From Cursed to Cured”
Sin bring curses. Jesus brings the cure. Substitutionary Atonement is not a modern analysis of Christ's work on the cross. The idea was there from the beginning among the Apostles and is even embedded in the Suffering Servant passage of Isaiah 53.
“In the Absence of Truth, Power”
A number of very memorable Scripture passages contain a very clear juxtaposition between truth and power. And tragically, our culture today has become one that seems to prefer power to truth.
“Animals in the Salvation Plan”
Another in our series of request sermons— this time on the significance of God's relationships with our pets.
“Occupied with God: Spirit vs. Flesh”
Continuing on in our request series, today, we'll tackle some of those passages with speak about the contradiction between the Spirit and the Flesh.
“Precarious and Preeminent Prayer”
The Lord is salvation, and one of most common repeating prayer-themes in all the Bible bears witness to those precarious situations where our need to be saved is preeminent.
“Lessons in Mismanagement”
Last week, we explored our management roll in the Kingdom. This week, we find something of worth even in mismanagement, as we take a look at "The Parable of the Dishonest Manager"
Faith and Politics 12— with guest Christian McCay, leader of the BC Christian Heritage Party.
In this special video, Christian McCay (BCCHP) challenges the broader Church to be obedient to God's calling as well as more discerning in spirit— in order to impact our culture and our politics more significantly.
“Middle Management (the Tithing Sermon)”
To be a disciple of Christ is to be in training for management of our Lord's resources. And there's a lot to discover in the realm of Biblical giving.
“Leavin’ the Other Leaven”
The Bible uses both bread and leaven as related metaphors. But Jesus also gives us some curious references to good and bad leaven— the latter of which can arguably be found even in contemporary culture.
“In the Absence of Law and Spirit”
The worshiper may be familiar with Daniel's references to the "abomination of desolation", but not necessarily to Zechariah's analysis of what causes desolation in the nation. It's worth noting today...
“Legacies and Signs”
Prominent Biblical people leave legacies for others to follow. So will we, if we wisely consider their example. And God is also using signs on the landscape to draw Canadians to Christ.
“The Incarnate Hopes of Magicians”
In Daniel 2, we hear of other "Magi", who know they need Divine help. This connects fairly well to the hope of the incarnation, and Matthew 2, as well.
“Coasting in the Age of Jesus”
We all need fuel physically and spiritually; we need it to move forward. Thankfully, Jesus is the fuel for a spiritually coasting world.