A PERSONAL PRAYER God of love, Sometimes my life feels so fragmented. I am pulled in many directions, and I search for some way to tie the pieces all together. Too often, God, I confine you to only one part of my life. I box you into conversations about faith and belief and leave you out of decisions that are more mundane or pragmatic. But you are to be my guiding hand in all of it. I want to surrender all of it to you: everything I do, everything I think, every relationship I have, every hour I [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, So many problems seem so intractable. So much of the world caught in poverty. So many families struggling with conflict. So many people devastated by wars. So many people living in ways that are destructive to self and others. So many people with broken relationships. So many people filled with hatred for others. So many people not knowing God's love in Jesus. God, you call me, if I believe in you, to "do the works that you do," (John 14:12), and to "bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, I am always listening to hear if you are calling me to something significant, something world-changing. Maybe I can write a world-changing sermon, and lead a world-changing mission. Maybe I can build an organization to end hunger or bring about world peace. God, I don't know if I am missing something or not paying attention, but I seldom hear such a call. The call I do hear is far less grandiose, but perhaps more significant. It is the daily call to be kind to my neighbor, to share my love with a friend, to [...]

In my sermon on 9/15/19, I mention having substantive conversations with others regarding difficult issues in a way that is respectful, focuses on issues rather than demonization, and helps us learn about how those who disagree with us come to their points of view. In publishing this paper together, Chap Temple and I have sought to model that process. I hope you can learn something about how people with two different perspectives view same-sex marriage in the church. Tom Pace A Pastoral Conversation Regarding Same-Sex Marriage and the Church

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, As always, I need your help. Holy Spirit, fill my whole self and guide me. Give me a courageous voice to speak the truth as I see it, and the wisdom to know when to keep silent. Give me ears to hear, and a mind that is truly open to listen. Give me a heart that feels, and honest empathy for others. Give me eyes to see the world through the eyes of my brother or sister. Give me hands that serve both friend and enemy, and the commitment to make a difference rather [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God of love, When I read the papers, watch the news, read and hear the comments, it seems that the animosity towards others is overwhelming. It appears folks have all chosen a team, and have little good to say about anyone on another team. I would like to believe that it is only the people on the fringe, but it seems deeper than that. You know, God, how hard I try to bring people together, to unite people around our mission, to share your truth as I understand it in a way that people can [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, on this day, I am asking for a fresh start. It is a new school year, a new beginning with projects and goals for my life and my work. Are they what you want for me? Have I correctly discerned your preferred future for my life? I have tried to listen to you, God, and get clarity, but sometimes it seems so fuzzy. I ask you today to put the right dreams in my heart, the right goals in my head, the right hopes in my soul, the right projects on my schedule. Your scripture [...]