Pastoral Reflections

Day 4: John the Baptist Scripture Reading: John 1:29-34 Beloved in Christ, As we reflect on Day 4 of Jesus the Stranger , we are invited to step into the wilderness alongside John the Baptist, that bold and faithful forerunner whom God raised up to prepare the way of the Lord. The prophets had long foretold that a messenger would come before the Messiah, and in John we see that promise fulfilled, echoing the ancient words of Isaiah and Malachi. God’s timing is never hurried,

Day 3: Herod the Great Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-16 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Herod was a king surrounded by power, authority, and influence. Yet when he heard that a true King had been born, fear—not faith—rose within him. His throne was secure, his army was strong, and his rule was recognized. Still, a child in a manger unsettled him. Why? Because worldly power trembles whenever divine authority appears. Herod’s story reveals a sobering truth: it is possible

Day 2: Simeon Scripture Reading: Luke 2:25-35 Beloved in Christ, There is something deeply holy about a life that waits well. In a world that rushes, demands, and insists on immediate answers, Simeon stands before us as a quiet witness to the sacred discipline of patient hope. Scripture tells us that Simeon was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. His life was not marked by public miracles or great achievements, but by

Day 1: The True Light Scripture Reading: John 1:9-13 Dear Friends, As we begin this journey through Jesus the Stranger , I invite you to pause with me today and reflect on John’s words about Jesus: “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1:9). What a beautiful, yet sobering truth! The Word of God, who existed before time itself, stepped into our world—not as a distant figure, but as the light that illuminates every corner of our hea

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the peace that surpasses all understanding, rest upon you and sustain you in every season of life. Around this time last year, my life was unexpectedly interrupted by a diagnosis of retinal detachment. What followed was an urgent surgery and a long season—nearly a year—in which I lived without sight in one eye. As a pastor, as a disciple of Christ, and as a fellow pilgrim walking the fragile r

Dear beloved church family, What we eat and drink never lies. What we take into our bodies eventually becomes our body and shapes our health. The same is true for our souls. What we watch and what we listen determines the health of our spiritual life. When we see what we should not see, hear what we should not hear, and then dwell on those things all day long, our souls slowly but surely become weary and unhealthy. Not long ago, as I was filling my car with gas, I noticed a n

Dear Beloved Church Family, Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we enter the fourth week of our journey through the Gospel of Mark, I am reminded that the pulpit is the place where my greatest joy and my deepest reverence meet. I ascend to proclaim the Word with gratitude and holy anticipation, yet also with a weight upon my heart—a trembling responsibility—because what is spoken is the Gospel itself: the living Word whose power shapes, confronts,

From the Pastor to you: I immigrated to Canada with my parents when I was ten years old. It was not a decision I made, nor one I could influence. I had no choice. My early years in Canada were shaped by the weight of immigrant life—by struggle, by experiences of racial discrimination, and by a growing awareness of the injustices embedded in society. After graduating from high school, my parents decided to relocate once again, this time to Los Angeles, California. And once aga

From the Pastor to you. Recently, I received an urgent call from someone I once pastored many years ago. With a heavy heart, they shared, “Pastor, the mother of our grandchildren left home, and we haven’t heard from her. It’s so cold outside. The children are just waiting and praying for their mom to come home.” While it is possible that a friend may have picked her up, there are still many uncertainties surrounding the situation. For this reason, the family has reported the