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27 10, 2017

Ever get tired of religion?

2017-10-27T09:50:36-05:00October 27th, 2017|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, You know how I love church folks.  I love my flock, the people you commissioned me to care for, to encourage, those with whom I am asked to share life. I have given my life to the church. But I wonder about us sometimes. Maybe we church folks are too religious.  Religion is a dangerous thing.  It can make people self-righteous and narrow minded.  Religion can lead people to believe they are holier than those who never darken our doors. Religion can focus us on appearances and social expectations.  It leads people to check [...]

20 10, 2017

You Said My Name

2017-10-20T10:45:58-05:00October 20th, 2017|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYERGod,“Lord, you have come to the lakeshore, and while smiling, have spoken my name.” I love that hymn, God. We will sing it at my funeral. Ok, they will sing it at my funeral. (I am not sure I get to decide what we sing in the choir of saints around your throne, which is where I am counting on being. If I get to sing along, I will join in loudly!) I always hear you calling my name, calling me forward, beckoning me to whatever you have in store for me. Each moment, you are preparing me for the [...]

13 10, 2017

Take a Chill Pill

2017-10-13T09:09:54-05:00October 13th, 2017|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, The prophets who speak for you come in all shapes and forms. Yesterday, a colleague said “Pace! Woah… would you just relax. Geez Louise.” I think that was you, using him as your voice. Then this morning, I heard you singing through my earbuds, using the voice of Paul McCartney, “Speaking words of wisdom… Let it be, yeah, let it be.” Then someone told me to take a chill pill. Perhaps I am pushing too hard. Too many “get to work” emails. Too much “what have you done for Jesus today?” sorts of talks. I am convicted by [...]

6 10, 2017

Spiritual Coasting

2017-10-06T08:55:02-05:00October 6th, 2017|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER              God,You call me to run the good race, to finish strong, not to rest on my laurels. But I confess to you that sometimes I am just coasting. I pray the way I have always prayed. I worship the way I have always worshipped. I love others the way I have always loved. Too often, I simply take the path of least resistance. Forgive me, God. I know that real spiritual growth takes investment, and a willingness to be different today than I was yesterday, and different tomorrow than I am today. Worse yet, sometimes I even feel like I am [...]

29 09, 2017

Simple question — are you satisfied?

2017-09-29T10:57:26-05:00September 29th, 2017|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYER              God,You are the bread that sustains me on my journey. You are the river of life that revives me when I falter. You are the very breath that I breathe, that animates my body, mind and soul for the work to which you call me. When I taste your presence, it satisfies my hungry heart. And it makes me want more. More of you. More of your joy. More of your peace. More serving you. More loving my neighbor.  God, on those times when I forget what I am searching for, give me just a taste of you to remind me, so that [...]

22 09, 2017

It’s all about impact

2017-09-22T08:55:35-05:00September 22nd, 2017|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYERGod,You have asked us to give ourselves away, to “pour ourselves out like a drink offering.” You teach us that we are to lay down our lives for others, and we do that one day, one hour, one minute at a time. God I watch so many people pour themselves out for others. In the days after the storm, people worked tirelessly. But even in the days before the storm, in those “ordinary days,” I watch your people give of themselves for the work of your kingdom. Teaching classes. Making phone calls. Working in the woodshop. Planning and supporting events. Going to meetings. Organizing [...]

15 09, 2017

I want to be a body builder

2017-09-15T09:18:27-05:00September 15th, 2017|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

A PERSONAL PRAYERFather, Son, Holy Spirit…As Trinity, you are a family in and of yourself. You exist as a relationship, and you tell us that we were created to be in relationship with you and with one another. I want to do that well. I want to be a part of a healthy family, a thriving workplace, a strong neighborhood, a Spirit-filled church. I want to have loving and supportive friendships. But it isn’t easy, God. Sometimes, other people drive me crazy. They don’t always act the way I would want them to. And I confess that sometimes, I get drawn into [...]

8 09, 2017

Rekindle your fire

2017-09-08T11:49:27-05:00September 8th, 2017|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

Friends, It has been quite a week at St. Luke’s church. Volunteer mucking teams have been out helping families, both from St. Luke’s and our neighbors. Our student ministry was a huge part of that effort, as the youth made the week a “mission trip at home.” Red Cross volunteers continued to sleep in the Fellowship Hall at night, and our folks provided great hospitality. Countless volunteers provided meals and laundry service. The Sharpstown and Gulfton communities gathered at our Gethsemane campus each day for a free meal, provided by our folks in conjunction with our Connect Community [...]

1 09, 2017

Anxious To See You

2017-09-01T12:51:09-05:00September 1st, 2017|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

St. Luke’s Family, Beginning today, we will have 250 Red Cross workers sleeping at the church for a few days. We will do our best to show them the spirit of love in our church and whole city. I am amazed at all that I see God doing right here in our midst. In the midst of such difficult times, the goodness that is at the center of each of us, the “image of God” in which every one of us is created, shines through. Christian or non-Christian, atheist or agnostic or just plain confused – all of us [...]

30 08, 2017

Overwhelmed

2017-08-30T16:16:21-05:00August 30th, 2017|All blogs, Inside-Out with Dr. Tom Pace|0 Comments

For some, it is a literal term. Waters come pouring in and they can’t stop them. They watch the damage to home and possessions. Some wonder where they will live and, oh my, how they will pay for it. It's almost too much, as it seems the worst is over, and then the waters move from central city to the suburbs, with downstream flooding still in the future. It is just so much. For most, it is emotionally overwhelming. Some remain afraid of what is to come when the rivers continue to rise. For those of us without [...]

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