The End of the World
So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. John 16:22 We are entering into Holy Week, and I have never felt the emotions of this week more than now. There have been many parallels between the...
Terror and Amazement
So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:8 We are in a season when pastors would normally comment on the challenge of preaching on Palm Sunday and Easter. It’s...
Disruption: Cookies and Toilet Paper
Jesus was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Mark 1:13 With all the overload of ever-changing data about the Coronavirus, I sometimes forget that we are still in Lent, which if you think about...
Coronavirus: A New Kind of Lenten Fast
The Lord said to Moses: You yourself are to speak to the Israelites: “You shall keep my sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, given in order that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you.” Exodus 31:12-13 It seems an...
Caring for Our Communities in Response to COVID-19
Dear San Gabriel Presbytery family, This has been a stressful and confusing time as we all try to come to termswith the rapidly-changing guidelines regarding Coronavirus. The currentthinking is for all of us to sacrifice our busy lifestyles for the continuedhealth of...
Human Rights in the Philippines
At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. Romans 15:25-26 Among Presbyterian leaders, we often refer to our “connectional”...
Reflections: Pentecost Presbytery
Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her. Mark 14:9 Last week I asked that you mark your calendars for July 21st, when we will spend the evening in conversation and service with our...
July 21: Listen to the Children
“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:37 It is helpful to stop and reflect once in a while—as individuals, as congregations, and as the Presbytery of San Gabriel. This week is...
Reflection: It Takes a Village
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ . . . Ephesians 4:11-12 Last week I mentioned that Steve Wiebe and I were...
Executive Presbyter
Wendy has a creative, spiritual and prophetic way of seeing the world that offers deep insights for practical living. She believes the Church is renewed from the edges, not the center, when those who’ve been marginalized are embraced.