September 11, 2024 - Twenty Three Years & Not Forgotten

Twenty Three years ago today I was in New York City, staying at 7th and B Avenue in New York City's Lower East Side. In this video, I share a few thoughts from my journal regarding this day that changed all of us.

Pastor Sam

Things I Learned from Dad - A Fathers Day Reflection

My Dad passed from this life to heaven 35 years ago this July. I still miss him. But, I am grateful that so much of who I am today came from his influence. Dad loved Jesus and he loved us, and that love impacted me greatly.  

In this video I share a memory - a story of my first communion - and Dad's advice to me as a brand new Christian that I just follow him. 

From Easter 1989 to Easter 2024 - He is Risen, Indeed!

Palm Sunday, 2024

Palm Sunday reminds us of how quickly we can turn from worship of God to other things. In this video, I share a few thoughts on how our understanding of this can open some new doors.

Pastor Sam 

Who are you? God knows - and that's good!

In Genesis 32, vv. 24 - 30 we find the story of Jacob wrestling with God. 

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

The man asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob,” he answered.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”

But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

When God asked Jacob, 'What's your name?' It was a question really asking... 'Who are you?' The answer was known by God - but Jacob's admission of the truth became his place of beginning.  

Check out my video for a few words of encouragement on how answering this for ourselves can become our place of beginning as well.  

Blessings, 

Pastor Sam 

Happy New Year & The 'Goodness' of God

As we begin 2024 we would do well to remember that the 'goodness' of God is a blessing that goes beyond our circumstances. It is a gift (grace) that draws us to God by giving us the eyes and the heart to see that - no matter what happens - God continues to pursue us with His mercy, love, and promise. (Psalm 23)

Check out my video to hear a few thoughts as to why I believe this will be essential to any who might find true joy in 2024.

Blessings, Pastor Sam

Finding Joy at Christmas

The Joy that came with the advent of Christ was not circumstantial. It was spiritual - and something we all need. Good tidings of great joy for all people was a message announced to lowly shepherds referencing more than a baby. This was Emmanuel! And this was...

Joy, indeed!  Pastor Sam